What is the first thing you should do if your vehicle starts to skid?

When your vehicle begins to skid, the first critical action is to steer in the direction you want the front of the vehicle to go. This technique, often referred to as "steering into the skid," helps regain control of the vehicle. As the rear of the vehicle slides out, turning the steering wheel towards the road's direction allows the tires to regain traction. This action can stabilize the vehicle and prevent a spin-out.

Using the brakes hard or accelerating could exacerbate the skid, causing you to lose control entirely. Shifting into neutral could momentarily eliminate power to the wheels, but it does not address the skid's direction, and could lead to further loss of control. Therefore, steering in the desired direction is the most effective method to regain control when skidding.