How should you respond to a skid on icy pavement?

How should you respond to a skid on icy pavement?

• A. Turn the steering wheel opposite to the skid and brake hard
• B. Brake quickly and steer in any direction
• C. Turn the steering wheel in the direction of the skid and ease off the gas or brake slowly
• D. Immediately accelerate to regain control

Answer: (C)

Skid recovery on icy pavement relies on steering into the direction you want the car to go and easing off the controls to regain traction. When tires have lost grip, abrupt actions can spin you out or slide you further. By turning the steering wheel toward the skid (toward the direction you want the front of the car to travel) and easing off the gas or braking gently, you allow the wheels to regain traction and realign with your intended path. Braking hard or accelerating quickly or steering away from the skid tends to worsen the loss of control. If the rear end slides left, for example, steer left and gradually ease off the accelerator to regain grip.

Skid recovery on icy pavement relies on steering into the direction you want the car to go and easing off the controls to regain traction. When tires have lost grip, abrupt actions can spin you out or slide you further. By turning the steering wheel toward the skid (toward the direction you want the front of the car to travel) and easing off the gas or braking gently, you allow the wheels to regain traction and realign with your intended path. Braking hard or accelerating quickly or steering away from the skid tends to worsen the loss of control. If the rear end slides left, for example, steer left and gradually ease off the accelerator to regain grip.