What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When your vehicle starts to skid, the recommended action is to steer in the direction you want to go and avoid slamming on the brakes. This technique, often referred to as "steering into the skid," helps regain control of the vehicle. When you feel the rear end of your vehicle sliding out, turning the steering wheel towards the direction you want the front wheels to point helps to realign the tires with the path you wish to follow. This action allows the tires to regain traction with the road surface more effectively.

In contrast, applying the brakes hard can lead to a loss of control, as it can cause the wheels to lock up or exacerbate the skid. Shifting to neutral is generally not advised because it removes engine braking, which can actually help stabilize the vehicle. Lastly, turning in the opposite direction of the skid could lead to a further loss of control, as it contradicts the natural movement of the vehicle and may cause it to spin out. Thus, steering in the direction of travel is the safest and most effective method to regain control during a skid.