Car advice: Skidding and how you can avoid it
A skid is a loss of traction from a vehicle’s wheels, which can cause it to move uncontrollably
We round up some shocking videos of treacherous situations, and show you how to avoid losing your grip, and what to do if the worst happens.
What causes a skid?
A skid is a loss of traction from a vehicle’s wheels, which can cause it to move uncontrollably. This video shows just how easily this can happen:
So how can you avoid a skid?
Skidding can only occur in one of three ways:
1. Excessive use of brakes, causing wheels to lock up
2. Over-steering (where the driver turns too sharply, resulting in the back wheels quickly swinging round behind the front wheels) into a turn then attempting to straighten up
3. Accelerating suddenly mid-turn
The first two examples are the result of too much speed – so the number one way to prevent skidding is to SLOW DOWN.
Skidding is often caused by a combination of poor weather conditions and driving too fast.
If your tyre noise is very quiet, this is a sign you’re driving on ice, so take great care and slow down. Be particularly wary of black ice.
Wheels locking up
Driving too close to the vehicle in front is more dangerous in snow. Always leave plenty of room in front just in case your wheels lock up.
DON’T accelerate if the brakes lock up, but carefully steer instead, before braking slowly and steadily.
When ice is this thick, wheels can easily lock up and brakes will fail – this is due to tyres attempting to grip the surface, but they lockup instead because it’s so slippery.
Top tip: you can purchase snow chains for your tyres to improve grip in the winter months.
Turning
It’s very easy to lose control when turning, especially if you’re travelling too fast. Almost all skids are driver-induced.
Always drive slowly on ice and brake steadily before approaching a corner.
If your vehicle loses grip while turning, depress the clutch and turn the steering wheel into the direction of the skid.
DON’T brake suddenly – this can lock the wheels and make you skid further.
Some cars, especially new ones, feature safety aids which will reduce the effect of a skid. The Citroen C4 Picasso is such a car – and it’s encouraged to opt for a vehicle with these aids.
Wet conditions
Braking distances double in the rain, making skidding twice as likely as in dry conditions.
So in wet conditions it’s vital to reduce your speed.
Watch this Toyota MR2 as it skids in the rain:
Drive type
It’s easier to skid with rear wheel drive, so driving a 4x4, SUV or an all-wheel drive vehicle adds some stability to driving in icy conditions.
Check out this footage of a Volkswagen Touareg crossing an icy stream.
Driving an all-wheel drive vehicle doesn’t make you invincible – you can still lose control of your vehicle.
More advice
RAC Road Safety Consultant Robin Cummins, offers this advice:
"When it’s icy or wet, reduce your speed to suit the conditions and plan well ahead to avoid harsh or sudden movement of the controls.
"The normal separation distance of a two second gap will need to be increased by at least double."
But if you're a race driver who needs to beat the snowdrifts by drifting around them, you'll need to know how to skid.
Here’s a video featuring some rallying-on-ice moments:
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