Question

Difficulty: MediumSkidding Causes and Prevention

A vehicle skid is primarily caused by driver actions—such as harsh braking, abrupt steering, or excessive acceleration—rather than slippery road surfaces alone.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True
The statement is true because skidding occurs when the forces demanded by the driver exceed the physical grip available from the tyres. Slippery conditions reduce the margin for error, but harsh braking, abrupt steering, and sudden acceleration are the actual triggers that break tyre adhesion.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the primary mechanism of traction loss between tyres and the road.
Tyre grip is lost when acceleration, braking, or cornering forces exceed the available friction coefficient.
Understanding tyre limits explains why skids occur.
2
Evaluate the role of environmental factors versus driver controls.
Adverse surfaces lower the grip threshold, but driver inputs determine whether that threshold is exceeded.
Smooth driving and appropriate speed prevent exceeding the friction limit even in poor weather.
3
Determine the accuracy of the statement.
The statement correctly identifies driver actions as the primary cause of skids.
DVSA theory identifies driver error as the chief cause of vehicle skidding.

Key Concept

Driver inputs and tyre adhesion limits in skidding causes
Estimated Time:45s
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