What is the correct action to take if your car starts to skid?

When a vehicle starts to skid, the best action is to steer in the direction of the skid. This means if the back of the car is sliding to the right, you should turn your steering wheel to the right. This technique helps to realign the car's wheels with the direction of travel and often allows for regaining control of the vehicle.

In a skid, the tires lose traction, and turning in the direction of the skid helps the rear tires to regain traction more effectively. It encourages a smoother recovery and ultimately helps avoid overcorrection, which could lead to additional skidding or loss of control.

The other options involve actions that counteract the natural dynamics of a skid. For instance, turning in the opposite direction of the skid could worsen the situation by causing further loss of control. Applying the brakes hard can lead to a more severe skid or loss of steering control entirely. Accelerating typically is unhelpful during a skid, as it can exacerbate the sliding motion and lead to a complete loss of control.