A 3-minute lesson from the Kansas course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
A skid happens when your tires can't grip the road, usually because you're too fast for conditions or stop too suddenly. You can't control a skidding car well, so the best defense is not to start one. Rollovers are rarer but far deadlier.
Know the rule
Skids are caused by traveling too fast for conditions, stopping too suddenly, or tires that can no longer grip the road.
Most rollovers happen in ordinary driving: a sudden swerve or veering off the road lets a curb, guardrail, tree stump or soft uneven ground 'trip' a sliding vehicle.
SUVs, vans, pickups and small trucks roll over more often because of their higher center of gravity. Extra cargo and passengers also increase the chance of a rollover.
On an icy curve your car keeps going straight even as you turn the wheel. The front tires have lost traction. Ease off the brake to regain grip, then reapply without skidding (or brake fully if you have ABS) and steer where you want to go.
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.
If your vehicle's front tires lose traction in a skid, what should you do?
Ease off the brakes to regain traction, then reapply
Pull the parking brake
Accelerate to regain grip
Turn the wheel sharply the other way
Answer: Ease off the brakes to regain traction, then reapply
Easing off the brakes helps the front tires regain traction; if equipped with ABS, you can apply the brakes fully for steering control.
