What action should one take if a vehicle begins to skid?

Turning the wheel sharply in the direction of the skid is the appropriate response because it helps to regain control of the vehicle. When a vehicle skids, it means that the tires have lost traction with the road surface. By turning the steering wheel in the direction of the skid, the driver aligns the front wheels with the rear wheels, allowing the tires to regain traction and stabilize the vehicle. This technique is commonly referred to as "steering into the skid."

It's important to remain calm and avoid making sudden movements, as abrupt actions can exacerbate the skid. Additionally, steering in the opposite direction of the skid or braking hard can worsen the loss of control. Accelerating is also not advisable because it can further reduce traction and increase the risk of spinning out. Thus, the correct response of steering into the skid is fundamental to safely recovering from this precarious situation.