What is the first thing you should do if you lose control of your vehicle?

If you lose control of your vehicle, the first thing you should do is ease off the gas pedal and steer in the direction you want to go. By gently easing off the accelerator, you allow the vehicle to reduce speed, which can help regain traction and control. Steering in the direction you wish to go is crucial because it helps align the front tires with the direction of travel, which is vital in regaining control. This method focuses on maintaining smooth, controlled steering rather than abrupt maneuvers, which could worsen the loss of control or lead to an accident.

In contrast, hitting the brakes hard can destabilize the vehicle further, causing skidding or loss of steering control. Turning the wheel sharply could lead to oversteering or spinning out, which is dangerous. Accelerating when losing control creates a greater risk by potentially leading to further instability and loss of control during a critical moment.