If you are in a skid while driving, what should you do?

When you are in a skid while driving, taking your foot off the brake is the appropriate action because it helps to restore traction to the tires. During a skid, the vehicle is losing grip with the road surface, often due to over-braking or turning too sharply. By releasing the brake, the wheels can begin to rotate freely again, which allows the tires to regain some traction with the road.

Regaining control is critical in a skid situation. When you apply the brakes, particularly if they are locked, you can exacerbate the skid by continuing to lose traction. Conversely, easing off the brake enables the tires to make contact with the road surface again, which helps to correct the skid and allows the driver to steer the vehicle back into control. This technique is essential for managing skids in a safe manner.

Other options like accelerating or turning sharply can often lead to a loss of control, making the situation worse, while using the emergency brake can lead to loss of steering and can also throw the vehicle into a more dangerous state.