Illinois Driving Permit Practice Test

What should you do if your vehicle begins to skid?

1. Steer in the direction of the skid

2. Apply brakes firmly

3. Accelerate suddenly

4. Turn off the engine

The correct answer is: Steer in the direction of the skid

When your vehicle begins to skid, the appropriate action to take is to steer in the direction of the skid. This means if the rear of your vehicle is sliding to the right, you should turn your steering wheel to the right. This technique helps to regain control of the vehicle by realigning the front wheels with the direction of the skid, allowing the tires to regain traction on the road. Steering into the skid is crucial because it helps to counteract the forces that are causing the rear wheels to slide out, enabling you to stabilize the vehicle more effectively. Remaining aware of the road conditions and not oversteering is also vital during this situation. Other options, such as applying brakes firmly, accelerating suddenly, or turning off the engine, do not effectively address skidding and could worsen the situation. Firm braking can lead to a loss of additional control, while accelerating can cause further skidding since increased speed may exacerbate loss of traction. Turning off the engine is not practical because it would eliminate power steering, making steering even more difficult and unresponsive during a skid.