Video Tip: Regaining Control in a Skid

VIDEO: Pulling Out of a Skid

In wet weather even the most careful drivers can experience skids. The wheels can lose traction and spin or lock, usually when you’re braking, rounding a corner, or accelerating.

When the roads are wet, drivers need to remember to keep the cruise control off and to remain solely focused on driving.

If the rear wheels lose traction, resulting in an over-steering situation, AAA suggests these steps to regain control:

1. Stay calm and continue to look at your path of travel down the road.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go.
3. Avoid slamming on the brakes. Although hitting the brakes is a typical response, slamming the brakes will only further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to regain control.
4. When the rear wheels stop skidding, continue to steer to avoid a rear-wheel skid in the opposite direction.

Front-wheel skids result from too much speed in a corner. When the front wheels lose traction, there’s also a loss of steering ability. Fortunately, front-wheel skids are easier to correct, but drivers must take measures to avoid transitioning into an over-steering situation.

If the front wheels lose traction, AAA suggests you take these steps:

1. Stay calm and continue to look where you want to go.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go.
3. Avoid slamming on the brakes. Although hitting the brakes is a typical response, slamming the brakes will further upset the vehicle’s balance and make it harder to regain control.
4. Wait for the front wheels to grip the road again. As soon as traction returns, the vehicle will start to steer again.
5. When the front wheels have regained their grip, steer the wheels gently in the desired direction of travel.

To view a video offering further advice on how to pull out of a skid, click on the photo or link below the headline.

 

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