New Jersey Drivers PracticeTest

What is the first action you should take if you start to skid while driving?

1. Brake hard

2. Steer into the skid

3. Turn off the ignition

4. Accelerate to gain control

The correct answer is: Steer into the skid

When you start to skid while driving, the appropriate first action is to steer into the skid. This means you turn your steering wheel in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go. By doing this, you help regain control of the vehicle, as it allows the tires to catch traction on the road again. This technique assists in aligning the vehicle's direction, preventing oversteer or further loss of control. The goal during a skid is to reduce the potential for spinning out or crashing. Steering into the skid counteracts the forces that cause the vehicle to slide, ultimately stabilizing it. The other options typically offer responses that could exacerbate the skid rather than mitigate its effects. For instance, braking hard can cause the wheels to lock up and increase the loss of traction. Turning off the ignition is impractical and dangerous, as it removes power steering assistance and may also disable other critical driving functions. Accelerating can make skidding worse, as it may lead to further loss of control and should never be a response to a skid.