ELDT - Entry Level Driver Training Entry Level Driver Training Skid Control and Recovery 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a tractor-trailer begins to jackknife, what is the FIRST action a driver should take?
- Steer sharply in the opposite direction of the skid
- Release the brakes and then reapply them gently (Correct answer)
- Accelerate to pull the trailer straight
- Apply the trailer brakes only to straighten the unit
Correct answer: Release the brakes and then reapply them gently
Releasing the brakes removes the wheel lockup that caused the skid, allowing the tires to regain traction. Gently reapplying brakes gives the driver control without re-locking the wheels. Steering into or against the skid before regaining traction is ineffective and dangerous.
Question 2: Which road surface condition is MOST likely to cause a vehicle skid with little warning?
- Dry asphalt
- Wet concrete
- Packed snow
- Black ice (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Black ice
Black ice is nearly invisible and provides almost no traction, making skids occur suddenly and without the visual cues drivers rely on for warning. Other slippery surfaces like packed snow are more visible and may allow some traction adjustment in advance.
Question 3: What is an 'understeer skid' and which wheels does it primarily involve?
- A skid where the rear wheels lose traction and the rear slides outward
- A skid where the front wheels lose traction and the vehicle continues straight instead of turning (Correct answer)
- A skid caused by excessive engine braking on downhill grades
- A skid triggered by sudden acceleration on a curve
Correct answer: A skid where the front wheels lose traction and the vehicle continues straight instead of turning
An understeer skid occurs when the front (steering) wheels lose traction, causing the vehicle to plow straight ahead despite the driver's steering input. This is the opposite of oversteer, where the rear loses traction. Front wheel lockup during braking on a curve is a common cause.
Question 4: When driving a CMV on a slippery surface, how should a driver adjust braking technique to reduce the risk of a skid?
- Apply firm, continuous brake pressure throughout the stop
- Use only the engine brake to decelerate
- Apply brakes early and gradually with light, steady pressure (Correct answer)
- Downshift rapidly to create maximum engine braking force
Correct answer: Apply brakes early and gradually with light, steady pressure
Braking early and gradually allows weight to transfer smoothly and keeps brake heat manageable, reducing the chance of wheel lockup. Firm continuous pressure can lock wheels on slippery surfaces, while rapid downshifting can cause rear wheel lockup from sudden deceleration.
Question 5: What role does speed play in a vehicle's ability to recover from a skid?
- Higher speed provides more momentum to straighten the vehicle
- Speed has no effect once a skid has begun
- Lower speed means less centrifugal force, making recovery easier (Correct answer)
- Skids only occur above 45 mph, so speed below that is irrelevant
Correct answer: Lower speed means less centrifugal force, making recovery easier
At lower speeds, centrifugal force pushing the vehicle off its path is reduced, giving the driver more time and physical margin to correct steering and braking. Higher speeds amplify skid forces and shrink the time window for successful recovery.
Question 6: During a rear-wheel braking skid in a straight line, the driver should steer:
- Hard left to pull the rear back into alignment
- Straight ahead, making no steering corrections until brakes are released (Correct answer)
- Gently in whichever direction the rear is sliding
- Opposite to the direction the rear is sliding to counteract the force
Correct answer: Straight ahead, making no steering corrections until brakes are released
In a rear-wheel braking skid on a straight road, the correct action is to release the brakes to restore traction while keeping the steering wheel straight. Turning the wheel before traction is restored can cause the vehicle to spin or veer sharply once the wheels grip again.
ELDT - Entry Level Driver Training Entry Level Driver Training Skid Control and Recovery 1
When a tractor-trailer begins to jackknife, what is the FIRST action a driver should take?