What is Counter Steering?

Counter steering is a technique used when a vehicle begins to skid, particularly when the rear tires lose traction and the vehicle starts to slide sideways. The correct approach is to steer in the direction of the skid, which means if the rear tires are sliding to the left, you should turn the steering wheel to the left. This action helps to align the front tires with the direction of travel, allowing the driver to regain control of the vehicle.

By steering into the skid, you effectively allow the front wheels to catch up to the rear wheels, stabilizing the vehicle. This maneuver shifts the dynamic balance back towards stability and helps prevent a complete spin out.

Other choices outline incorrect responses to managing a skid, such as steering away from the direction of the skid or steering to the right or left indiscriminately, which do not address the dynamics of vehicle control effectively during a skid situation. Understanding counter steering is essential for safe driving, especially in conditions that can lead to loss of traction.