A skid is a slide or slip over a surface by a car that may result to loss of control leading to serious accidents. This is usually caused by environmental hazards although it may be brought upon by human error. In defensive driving, new drivers are taught to anticipate problems that may occur based on environmental circumstances and the possible failure in judgment of other drivers on the road.
Skidding may result from sudden acceleration, sudden braking, and jerky steering especially when combined with hazardous road conditions by reason of poor weather. Common sense dictates that drivers should opt to stop and allow the conditions to improve before proceeding. When this is impossible however, drivers should proceed only with extreme caution and care.
A front wheel skid can be caused when a car approaches a bend or turn in extreme speed or sudden braking. This can possibly be remedied by more steering. When this fails, the clutch pedal should be fully depressed while releasing the brake and reducing steering. If control is not achieved at once, steering can be straightened just to allow the vehicle to regain control.
A rear-wheel drive vehicle that suddenly brakes or accelerates on hazardous roads may find itself losing control in a way that would seem that the vehicle rear is overtaking the front. Drivers are again advised to depress the clutch fully and simultaneously release step on the brakes while steering carefully. It is possible for all wheels to lock on sudden brake or acceleration.
The same basic procedures are observed since fully depressing the clutch slows down the vehicle without stalling while release of step on the brakes allows it to unlock giving back control to steering. Many driving schools use their website to provide support information for new and not-so-new drivers. For intensive advanced study in skid control, drivers can enroll in specific driving courses.
Image: driveandstayalive