When in a skid, what is the first action you should take?

When you find yourself in a skid, the first action you should take is to steer where you want to go. This technique, known as "steering into the skid," helps you regain control of your vehicle. When a car skids, it often means that the rear wheels have lost traction. By steering in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, you can help realign the wheels with the direction of the road and regain stability.

Properly executing this maneuver allows the vehicle's front wheels to regain traction. If you were to apply the brakes firmly or shift into neutral, you could exacerbate the skid by further destabilizing the vehicle or causing a loss of control. Steering in the opposite direction is also not effective, as it can confuse the vehicle's handling and lead to a greater loss of control. Thus, steering towards your intended path is the most effective and necessary action in recovering from a skid.