Arizona Driving Permit Written Practice Test

What is the recommended action when your vehicle starts to skid?

1. Steer in the opposite direction of the skid

2. Brake hard to regain control

3. Steer in the same direction of the skid

4. Turn off the engine

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

When a vehicle starts to skid, the recommended action is to steer in the same direction of the skid. This technique helps to regain control of the vehicle by allowing the tires to regain traction with the road surface. When you steer into the skid, your vehicle's front wheels can align with the direction you want to go, helping to straighten out the vehicle and prevent a spin. This approach is particularly effective because it engages the vehicle's natural balance and momentum. Other actions, such as braking hard, can potentially worsen the skid by locking the wheels and further reducing traction. Similarly, steering in the opposite direction can cause overcorrection, leading to loss of control. Turning off the engine does not directly help regain control and could make the situation more perilous by eliminating power steering. Thus, steering in the same direction as the skid is the best strategy to regain control and ensures a safer resolution to the skidding situation.