What is the first thing you should do if your car starts to skid?

When your car starts to skid, the most important action is to steer in the direction you want the vehicle to go. This technique is known as "steering into the skid." By doing so, you help realign the tires with the direction of travel, which can help regain traction and control over the vehicle. The fundamental principle behind this response is to counteract the slide caused by loss of traction.

If you were to brake firmly while skidding, you could exacerbate the loss of control, as braking can lock the wheels and make the situation worse. Turning off the ignition is not advisable, as it removes your ability to steer the vehicle and can cause you to lose power steering. Accelerating to gain control can be counterproductive, as it can lead to further loss of traction and increased skidding, especially if the road surface is slippery. Therefore, steering into the skid is the safest and most effective method for recovering control during a skid.