How to Control Your Car in a Skid

Most accidents that happen in severe weather are due to driver error, or poor driving habits. Maintaining control of the vehicle on icy or wet road conditions is a job not to be taken lightly. The ability to drive in some of the most adverse conditions takes a lot of driving skill, and also some basic knowledge on the abilities of your vehicle.

Keeping control of your vehicle is the number one rule in bad weather. Anyone who has driven for a while usually obtains a feel for their vehicle. But when the road turns hazardous, the feel of your vehicle slowly begins to change. Many cars end up in the median strip, or the ditch by drivers who just didn't make the correct decision when it was needed.

Loss of control or fish tailing in a vehicle is one of the most seen occurrences which causes numerous accidents every year in severe weather. Some drivers are just not aware how to regain control of the vehicle once the feel of the vehicle has been lost. Other drivers are aware of how to retain control, but panic when the situation arises. Listed below are some tips that can help to keep you safe in the winter months ahead. You can also check out more information at www.roadtripamerica.com to help you in the winter months ahead.

Learn to steer out of a skid.

The degree of this maneuver will vary according to road conditions such as: ice, large amounts of snow on the road, brake lock up, or bad brake adjustment. Exactly how far out of control the vehicle is in the roadway, will determine the amount of adjustment needed to gain back the stability of the vehicle.

When you first feel the vehicle begin to slide sideways slowly turn your steering wheel in the direction of the skid. This simply means if the rear of your vehicle is sliding to the right, turn the steering wheel to the right easy until the vehicle starts to straighten up. As soon as the vehicle begins to regain control, slowly straighten out your steering wheel.

Don't turn your steering wheel in different directions while trying to correct the skid, work with one direction at a time. Now if you've over steered and the vehicle skids in the opposite direction, do the same procedure as before: steer in the direction of the skid. The only time you need to react quickly is if the vehicle is close to halfway around.

Driving and counter steering on ice is a whole different ballpark. The same slow adjustments of the steering wheel will bring the vehicle back in line without the use of the brakes. The friction of the tires on the road is now less than when driving on dry road conditions, so don't over react.

In heavy amounts of snow when you counter steer, be prepared for changing affects of your steering adjustments. Slow down your steering adjustments drastically on ice as any quick movements can send your car skidding completely out of control.

Never lock up your brakes.

Using the brakes is probably the worst maneuvers you can do in a skid. The adjustments of your brakes are usually set at 75% for the front brakes, and 25% for the rear brakes. If you lock up your brakes more than likely the front brakes will grab quicker. This can result in the rear of your vehicle coming around to where the front end of your vehicle once was.

Although your initial reaction is to hit the brakes when your car starts to skid, the best procedure is still to regain control of your vehicle with your steering. Most people usually hit their brakes first when the control of the vehicle has been lost. These people are usually the ones who end up in the ditch on a cold, dark, and snowy night.

If your have to slow your car down while you're in a skid (because a vehicle in front of you is stopping) tap the brakes lightly, and let off of them while you're counter steering. This gives you a sense of how much brake you can use; this also helps to tell you what the friction or traction of your car is on the road surface.

Always be aware of the distance of the vehicle ahead of you while you're skidding. Look for a safe place to maneuver your vehicle into just in case you can't stop in time. Always be aware of which vehicles are around you in case of a skid in bad weather. This way you'll know exactly where your safe place is on the roadway at all times. This simple procedure can help to save injuries, and possibly even lives

Learn to relax.

If your car is starting to slide to one side don't overreact. This reaction is very hard to overcome when your car is unstable. Overreacting only forces your car into another unsafe maneuver. The stability of your car is now in jeopardy as any quick movements only causes the car to react in a "to quick" maneuver, which causes the vehicle to slide now in the opposite direction of the original skid.

Slow steady movements with a calm mind will help to keep you and your family safe as you travel the winter months ahead. With these simple procedures you're now ready to tackle even the worst road conditions ahead.

If you are driving in bad weather and you're not comfortable with the road conditions don't go. There will always be another day to make the trip when the roads improve. Pull over and take a break if the roads get too bad. This will give the road crews a chance to do what they do best. Who knows, maybe the salt trucks are just right behind you.