What actions should be taken if your vehicle begins to skid?

When a vehicle begins to skid, the most effective response is to steer in the direction you want to go and avoid slamming on the brakes. This technique is known as "steering into the skid." By turning the steering wheel in the direction of the skid, you help to realign the vehicle’s tires with its path, allowing for better control and stability. This action assists in regaining traction and helps to prevent the vehicle from spinning out of control.

Avoiding abrupt braking is crucial because applying the brakes intensely during a skid can exacerbate the loss of control and lead to a more severe skid. Instead, steering smoothly and gently allows the driver to regain composure while keeping the vehicle moving in the intended direction.

The other options, such as applying the brakes hard, turning the steering wheel left and right quickly, or shutting off the engine, do not address the core issue of regaining traction and control efficiently during a skid. They may instead lead to further loss of control or dangerous situations.