Tennessee Permit Practice Test

What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

1. Brake hard immediately

2. Steer in the direction you want to go

3. Turn off the ignition

4. Accelerate slowly

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

When your vehicle starts to skid, steering in the direction you want to go is crucial for regaining control. This technique is known as "steering into the skid." By directing your wheels toward the direction of travel that you want to achieve, you help your vehicle realign and straighten out. This action counteracts the forces that are causing the skid, allowing the tires to regain traction on the road. It's important to remain calm during a skid and not to overcorrect, as this can lead to a more dangerous situation. In situations of skidding, applying the right steering technique can significantly reduce the chances of losing control completely. Braking hard or turning off the ignition can exacerbate the skid or lead to further loss of control. Additionally, accelerating slowly would not address the skid directly and could make the situation worse by encouraging the tires to lose traction even more. Therefore, steering in the direction you wish to go is the most effective response when dealing with a skid.