Study for the Texas Defensive Driving Written Test. Boost your confidence with our comprehensive practice quizzes and detailed solutions. Get ready to ace your exam with our expertly crafted materials!

Practice this question and more.


What should you do if your vehicle starts to skid?

  1. Steer in the direction of the skid

  2. Brake hard to regain traction

  3. Turn the steering wheel abruptly

  4. Accelerate to speed up the vehicle

The correct answer is: Steer in the direction of the skid

When your vehicle starts to skid, the key action to take is to steer in the direction of the skid. This means that if the rear of your vehicle is sliding to the right, you should turn the steering wheel to the right. This action helps to realign your tires with the direction of travel and regain control over the vehicle. By steering into the skid, you allow the front wheels to grip the road better, which reduces the risk of spinning out and promotes stability. Braking hard can lead to further loss of control during a skid because it can lock the wheels, worsening the situation. Abruptly turning the steering wheel may lead to overcorrection, which can destabilize the vehicle more. Accelerating in a skid is also dangerous, as it can cause the vehicle to lose even more traction, further intensifying the skid and making it harder to regain control. Thus, steering into the skid is the most effective method to manage a skidding situation safely.