If a vehicle starts skidding while braking, what should the driver do?

When a vehicle begins to skid, the appropriate response is to turn the steering wheel in the direction that the rear of the vehicle is skidding and to pump the brakes lightly. This technique, often referred to as "counter-steering," helps to regain traction and control by aligning the front wheels with the rear wheels, thereby stabilizing the vehicle.

This method is effective in situations of oversteer, where the rear wheels lose grip and the back end of the vehicle swings outward. By turning into the skid, the driver helps the vehicle realign its path and minimizes the risk of a spin. Pumping the brakes lightly, rather than applying them hard, helps prevent further locking of the wheels, which can worsen the skid.

The other strategies presented would not effectively address the situation. Accelerating can exacerbate the skid by increasing speed and the likelihood of losing control. Steering towards the opposite direction might cause confusion or misalignment in that specific moment of crisis. Steering straight and braking hard could lead to locking the wheels and losing all control, further complicating an already dangerous situation.