What should an officer do in the event of a skid?

In the event of a skid, an officer should turn towards the direction of the skid and reduce speed. This technique helps regain control of the vehicle. When a vehicle skids, it is because the tires have lost traction. By steering into the skid, the driver aligns the vehicle’s front tires with the direction of the skid, which can help the tires regain traction as the vehicle slows down.

Reducing speed allows the vehicle to stabilize, and the driver can correct the vehicle's path as traction is regained. This method is particularly important in maintaining control and avoiding further loss of traction or potential rollover incidents.

Other methods, such as accelerating or applying brakes immediately, can worsen the situation by further destabilizing the vehicle or causing it to skid more severely. Therefore, turning towards the skid and easing off the accelerator is the best practice for regaining control.