Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) Practice Test

When your vehicle starts to skid, the appropriate response is to steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. This technique is known as "steering into the skid." It helps regain control of the vehicle by aligning the tires with the direction you want to travel. When a vehicle skids, its rear tires lose traction, causing the back of the vehicle to slide out. By steering into the skid, you can help the tires regain grip and bring the vehicle back under control.

In contrast, braking hard can exacerbate the skid by causing the wheels to lock up, leading to a loss of steering control. Quickly turning the steering wheel left and right is likely to make the situation worse, as it can further unsettle the vehicle's balance. Accelerating during a skid is dangerous because it can increase the speed of a vehicle that has already lost traction, leading to a greater risk of an accident. Thus, the best practice in the event of a skid is to steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go.