Anatomy Of A Skid – And How To Prevent An Accident

I’ve normally got pretty excellent car control. This comes from driving a few different cars, experience of different conditions, track days and even go-karting. Nonetheless, in the recent icy weather, I still managed to lose control and skid. I did recover it and was going slowly anyway so there was no real danger. Nonetheless, it was a hairy moment.

Skids are caused by a loss of traction between the tyres of a vehicle and the surface upon which you are driving. Most skids are caused by driver error according to insurance companies, although few accidents are the direct result of a vehicle skidding. Skids can occur in any condition, though the chances of skidding and having an accident go up by 50% in the wet and 75% in ice.

The main causes of skidding are as follows:
a) harsh or sudden acceleration
b) excessive of sudden braking
c) coarse or jerky steering movements
The effects of the above will be enhanced by speed. Combining these effects with non-recognition of adverse road and weather conditions will create problems for the driver.

The main types of skid that a driver could encounter on the public highway fall into three categories.
1) The front wheel skid
2) The rear wheel skid
3) The four wheel skid

Here are some recommended actions from a variety of sources:

Front wheel skid
In a front wheel skid, you’ll experience understeer. The vehicle will go straight ahead rather than turning. Don’t brake, but instead push in the clutch. Take your foot off the accelerator and turn gently into the direction of the skid. When you regain control, release the clutch and continue on in a sensitive manner.

Rear wheel skid
A rear wheel drive will throw your car into oversteer. Don’t brake, but take your foot off the accelerator. Turn the wheel in the direction that the rear wheels are sliding; this should align them and may give you traction again. Let the clutch out when you have control.

Four wheel skid
This type of skid can be experienced if for instance your wheels have locked up under heavy braking. Try to pump the brakes gently to get your wheels turning again.

If you have no control at all on ice and are skidding there may be little remedial action you can take. Instead, use preemptive measures such as driving slowly and smoothing all vehicle control inputs.