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Difficulty: HardSkid Control and Recovery

While operating a commercial straight truck on a snow-covered roadway, the rear drive wheels lose traction and swing outward to the right. The driver releases the accelerator and steers to the right into the skid. As the rear of the vehicle responds and begins swinging back toward the center of the travel lane, which action must the driver take immediately to prevent a secondary skid in the opposite direction?

  1. A
    Hold the steering wheel firmly turned to the right until the vehicle has completely straightened out and stabilized.
  2. Counter-steer by quickly turning the steering wheel back to the left as the vehicle begins aligning with its intended path.Answer
  3. C
    Engage the engine retarder to maximum braking power to pull the drive axle straight through engine drag.
  4. D
    Apply firm, continuous service brake pressure while maintaining the rightward steering input to plant the steer tires.

Answer

Counter-steer by quickly turning the steering wheel back to the left as the vehicle begins aligning with its intended path.
During drive-wheel skid recovery, steering into the direction of the skid initiates the correction. However, as the vehicle swings back toward its intended course, its rotational momentum will cause it to keep turning and slide in the opposite direction. The driver must counter-steer immediately by turning the wheel quickly the other way to stabilize the vehicle on its true course.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the vehicle dynamics during skid recovery.
The initial steer into the skid (to the right) starts rotating the chassis back toward the straight-ahead trajectory.
When the vehicle begins returning on course, rotational momentum causes it to continue pivoting unless arrested.
2
Determine the required secondary steering correction.
The driver must rapidly counter-steer (turn the wheel back to the left) before the vehicle passes the centerline of travel.
CDL safety standards specify that counter-steering is essential to stop rotational momentum and prevent fishtailing into an opposite skid.
3
Evaluate and eliminate incorrect inputs such as braking or holding the turn.
Braking, applying retarders, or maintaining the initial steer angle leads to loss of control or severe opposite-direction skidding.
Proper skid recovery relies strictly on off-throttle coasting and precise, two-phase steering input without brake lockup.

Key Concept

Two-phase counter-steering during drive-wheel skid recovery
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Skid Control and Recovery

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