A 3-minute lesson from the Alaska course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Skids happen when your tires lose grip, usually from sudden speed or direction changes on a slippery surface. The best cure is prevention; if you do skid, stay calm and steer where you want to go.
Preventing skids:
Be alert to conditions that cause skidding, especially during thawing and freezing weather
Avoid abrupt changes in speed or direction
Don't over-correct; it only changes the direction of the skid
Practice stops and skid recovery at slow speed on private property before driving on ice in traffic
When you suspect ice, test the surface cautiously, checking your mirror before the test stop
Slow down well before your stopping point on ice or packed snow
Crossing a shaded bridge on a freezing morning, your rear end slides to the right. Don't slam the brakes. Steer the front wheels in the direction of the skid, avoid overcorrecting, and ease back onto the brakes gently once you're straight.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What should you do first if your vehicle begins to skid?
Brake hard immediately
Stay calm and don't panic
Accelerate to regain traction
Shift into neutral immediately
Answer: Stay calm and don't panic
The first step in skid recovery is to control yourself and not panic.
