Arizona Drivers Permit Pactice Exam

What is the best way to bring your vehicle out of a skid?

1. Increase the throttle to regain control

2. Turn the wheel in the direction of the skid

3. Brake hard and steer to the right

4. Shift to neutral and steer straight

The correct answer is: Turn the wheel in the direction of the skid

To effectively bring your vehicle out of a skid, turning the wheel in the direction of the skid is the crucial action. When a vehicle skids, it typically means that the tires have lost traction and are not following the intended path. By steering in the direction of the skid, you align the front wheels with the direction the rear wheels are trying to go, which helps to regain control over the vehicle. This technique works because it allows for a balance in the vehicle's steering and traction. For instance, if the rear of the vehicle is sliding to the right, turning the steering wheel to the right helps to encourage the vehicle to straighten out and regain traction. This response allows the driver to regain control gently instead of over-correcting, which could lead to a more severe skid or loss of control. In contrast, other actions like increasing the throttle can worsen the situation by causing the wheels to spin faster and lose even more traction. Similarly, braking hard can lead to additional loss of control, as locked-up wheels do not allow for steering input. Shifting to neutral can take away engine braking, further complicating control over the vehicle during a skid. Therefore, steering into the skid is the most effective and recommended way to regain control.