What is a skid?

A skid refers to a situation in which a vehicle's tires lose traction with the road surface. This loss of traction can lead to a loss of control over the vehicle's steering and braking. Skids can be dangerous and often occur due to several factors, including excessive speed, sudden braking or acceleration, abrupt steering inputs, and poor road conditions (e.g., ice, snow, water, or gravel).

Here are key aspects of skids:

• Causes of Skids: Skidding is often caused by exceeding the traction limit of the tires. Speed, road conditions and driver inputs are the key reasons.

• Types of Skids: There are several types of skids, including oversteer (where the rear of the car loses traction) and understeer (where the front of the car loses traction).

• Recovery Techniques: Correcting a skid involves steering in the direction of the skid (often referred to as "steering into the skid"), easing off the accelerator or brake, and avoiding sudden movements. Specific techniques vary depending on whether it is an oversteer or understeer skid. More modern cars are equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC) systems, which can automatically help to mitigate skids.

• Prevention: Preventing skids involves driving at safe speeds, avoiding sudden maneuvers, maintaining tires in good condition, and being aware of road conditions. Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) assist drivers to prevent skidding.