A 3-minute lesson from the Rhode Island course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Every emergency is different, but knowing the handbook's steps ahead of time lets you act instead of freeze. Most skids start with a driver who didn't adjust speed to the road and traffic. How you brake depends on whether your car has anti-lock brakes.
Know the rule
Most skids are caused by the driver's failure to adjust speed to road and traffic conditions. On wet or icy roads, never make sudden changes in speed or direction.
With ABS, do not pump the brakes—pumping could cancel the feature and lock the brakes. Press the pedal firmly and hold it until you stop. A pulsating pedal is normal.
Your brake pedal suddenly sinks to the floor on a downhill street. Pump it several times, shift to a lower gear, and ease on the parking brake. If you're still rolling, steer toward open space and use the curb to scrub off speed.
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 is the first step to control a vehicle that begins to skid?
Slam on the brakes
Turn the wheel sharply away from the skid
Shift into a lower gear immediately
Let off the gas
Answer: Let off the gas
The first step to control a skidding vehicle is to let off the gas and let the vehicle slow gradually.