What is the first step to take if your vehicle starts to skid?

When a vehicle starts to skid, the essential first step is to steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. This action helps to regain control of the vehicle. When you experience a skid, the vehicle's rear wheels lose traction, and steering in the desired direction allows the front wheels to align with the path you intend to travel, helping you to steer out of the skid safely.

Making this adjustment effectively counteracts the motion of the skid. It’s crucial for drivers to remain calm and not panic, as immediate and correct movements can prevent loss of control. This technique emphasizes the importance of using steering input to realign the vehicle's trajectory, which is often the most intuitive response.

In contrast, methods such as braking hard can worsen the skid by shifting weight and causing further loss of traction, while rapidly turning the steering wheel can create additional instability. Shifting to a lower gear is generally less effective in addressing the immediate need for control during a skid. Therefore, steering toward your intended path is the safest and most effective initial reaction when skidding occurs.