Steer Into The Skid? Think Again.

Have you been told to “steer into the skid”? What if we were to tell you this old advice is all wrong?

Trust us, it’s much better to be safe than sorry. That’s why all new drivers should understand this proven technique for regaining control of a skidding vehicle:

1. Remain calm.

2. Look where you want the car to go.

3. Point the steering wheel (slightly and confidently) in that direction.

It’s important to countersteer carefully and deliberately to avoid oversteering, which will make the problem worse.

Just ask any rally car driver. The purposeful precision of a rally car skid is a direct result of mastering the art of the countersteer. Forest Duplessis, head instructor at DirtFish Rally School, explains that many drivers steer the wrong way because they were told to “steer into the skid”. This simple-sounding expression often confuses drivers and rarely results in a successful technique.

Think about it. You feel the car begin to lose control. The front end veers to the right as the back end starts creeping forward. What do you do?

1. Remain calm. 

2. Look where you want the car to go: slightly left

3. Point the steering wheel (slightly and confidently) in that direction: slightly left

If you were thinking “steer into the skid”, which direction would you have turned the wheel? Most people would have intuitively veered right to steer into the skid, when they should have veered left to regain traction and control.

Interested in learning more about safe driving in extreme circumstances? Check out the 4 Types of Advanced Driving School and see if there is a class near you.