What is the best way to maintain control of the vehicle during a skid?

To maintain control of the vehicle during a skid, steering in the direction you want to go is the most effective method. This technique, often referred to as "steering into the skid," helps align the vehicle's tires with the direction of travel. When a vehicle begins to skid, it loses traction, and the natural instinct might be to countersteer or jerk the steering wheel in the opposite direction. However, this can exacerbate the skid and lead to a loss of control.

By gently turning the steering wheel towards the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go, you allow the tires to regain traction with the road surface. This corrective action works to stabilize the vehicle and brings it back under the driver's control. It's essential to remain calm and avoid abrupt movements during this process, as maintaining a smooth, controlled steering input is crucial for regaining stability.

Other methods, such as braking hard, may lead to further loss of control, while turning the steering wheel quickly side-to-side can create a more unpredictable situation. Accelerating in a skid can also worsen traction loss, as it can lead to a spin-out. Thus, steering in the intended direction is the safest and most effective way to regain control during a skid.