Skid Control

I would imagine that the vast majority of people do not know the limits of the car that they drive and simply do not know what it feels like to be involved in a skid. Skid control training is all about learning:

• To understand the combined driving conditions which may lead to a skid and reduce them
• To recognise a skid early enough to be able to do something about it.
• To control your instinctive reactions.
• To practice sufficiently so that your muscles learn the appropriate responses.

There are numerous reasons why a car skids out of control. Wet roads, the condition of the tyres, gravel, mud, ice or snow can be a significant contributory factor. However, by far the most common factor is inappropriate speed for the road conditions. To minimise the risk of skidding always make sure you are driving at the appropriate speed for the road conditions.

There could be situations where you find yourself to be skidding even though you had otherwise been driving at an appropriate speed. Microclimates where ice patches could still be present after a cold night, diesel spills or even gravel that has fallen from a lorry can all create situations where a skid is possible.

It cannot be stressed strongly enough that you must not attempt to practice the techniques described here except in a proper skid-control training area under qualified instruction.

There are several types of skid:

• Understeer
• Oversteer
• Four-wheel skidding
• Skidding while accelerating
• Straight line skidding
• Aquaplaning

These articles are the Copyright of the author, their original publications and Worcestershire Group of Advanced Motorists, but may be freely reproduced without amendment providing the credits are included.