Straight Line Skidding

This usually happens when braking too hard for a hazard or when performing an emergency stop. For whatever reason, something has appeared right in front of you and you hit the brakes too hard.

To control a straight line skid while steering around the hazard:

If the car is fitted with ABS, then steering control can be retained even when hitting the brakes hard. For cars that are not fitted with ABS, cadence braking should be used. This is a technique where the brakes are repeatedly applied and released rapidly so that steering control can be made during the moments that the wheels are still moving. The sequence is: Brake/skid - release/steer - brake/skid - release/steer etc.

The Roadcraft video shows a very good demonstration of this technique.

Threshold Braking

This technique can be used whether the car has ABS or not. It is the ability to use the brakes sufficiently hard without the wheels skidding. Breaking is progressive so that as the car slows down greater pressure can be applied to the brakes. Steering control can be maintained throughout.