Illinois Driving Permit Practice Test

What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

1. Brake immediately

2. Steer in the opposite direction of the skid

3. Steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go

4. Accelerate to regain control

The correct answer is: Steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go

When your vehicle starts to skid, the appropriate response is to steer in the direction you want the front of the car to go. This technique helps to regain control by aligning the front wheels with the path you want to take. When the rear wheels lose traction and the car is sliding, turning the steering wheel in the direction of the skid can help the car regain traction and stabilize itself. This method enables you to redirect the vehicle effectively, which can prevent further loss of control. Understanding this concept is crucial for safe driving, particularly in slippery conditions where skids are more likely to occur. The other responses do not contribute positively to regaining control in a skid situation. For example, braking immediately can worsen the skid by shifting weight and leading to an even greater loss of traction. Steering in the opposite direction of the skid can cause oversteering and lead to a spin. Accelerating in a skid can also exacerbate the loss of control by increasing speed and making traction harder to regain. Hence, steering toward the desired direction is the most effective action to take.