Question

Difficulty: MediumSkid Control and Recovery

While traversing a bridge deck with patchy ice, a commercial vehicle's drive wheels break traction and the rear of the vehicle begins stepping out to the side. What is the correct chronological sequence of actions the driver must take to safely recover control? Arrange the recovery actions in the correct order from first to last.

  1. 1Immediately release the accelerator and push in the clutch to eliminate wheel spin and allow the drive tires to resume rolling.
  2. 2Turn the steering wheel rapidly in the direction the rear of the vehicle is skidding to align the front wheels with the vehicle's direction of travel.
  3. 3Counter-steer back in the opposite direction as the vehicle begins to straighten out to avoid whipping into a secondary skid.
  4. 4Center the steering wheel and gently resume normal speed only after the vehicle is fully stabilized and traveling straight.

Answer

The driver must first remove drive torque by releasing the accelerator and depressing the clutch, quickly steer in the direction the rear is skidding, counter-steer back as the vehicle straightens to prevent a secondary skid, and finally center the steering wheel once straight-line control is re-established.
According to official CDL emergency procedures, recovering from a drive-wheel skid requires a precise sequence: first, release the accelerator and depress the clutch to allow the drive wheels to roll and regain traction; second, steer quickly into the direction of the skid; third, counter-steer back in the opposite direction as the vehicle begins straightening to stop secondary fishtailing; and finally, center the wheel and stabilize the vehicle once straight-line control is re-established.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Eliminate drive torque and restore rolling contact.
The drive wheels stop spinning and regain lateral grip.
Locked or spinning wheels have minimal lateral traction; allowing them to roll restores cornering grip.
2
Steer into the skid (in the direction the rear is sliding).
Front tires direct the tractor back in line with the vehicle's momentum.
Aligning front wheels with the rearward slide stabilizes the yaw rate of the vehicle.
3
Counter-steer in the opposite direction as alignment begins.
Prevents over-rotation and fishtailing.
Without immediate counter-steering back, vehicle momentum will cause the rear to snap back and skid in the opposite direction.
4
Center the steering wheel and stabilize forward travel.
The commercial vehicle resumes steady, straight-line tracking.
Confirms complete vehicle stabilization before any gradual reapplication of power.

Key Concept

Sequential drive-wheel skid recovery procedures and secondary skid prevention
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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