Tips to prevent vehicle skids

There are many ways to lose control of a vehicle and wind up in a skid. Sometimes it’s from speeding up or slowing down too quickly. Other times it’s from making tight turns at too high a speed. Rain, snow and ice also make for slippery roads and skids, as does loose material, such as gravel or wet leaves.

As the most major cause of skids is a sudden change in speed and/or direction, you must always be aware of the road surface and adjust your speed accordingly.

Follow these skid-prevention tips to help keep you, your cargo and other drivers safe:

• Slow down at curves to reduce cornering skids.
• Drive within your sight distance to reduce sudden stops and braking skids.
• Maintain adequate following distance to reduce quick stops.
• Slow down on slippery surfaces.
• Adjust your speed to the surface conditions and curvatures of the road.
• Do not over-brake.
• Do not suddenly downshift.
• Use the brake-limiting valve correctly.
• Inspect the air system and brake adjustment before and during each trip — all wheels should start stopping at the same time.
• Inspect tires, front wheel alignment and suspension system for safe operation.
• Load cargo properly.

If you find yourself in a skid despite your best prevention efforts, almost all tractor skids are corrected by the same general responses:

• Disengage the clutch.
• Get off the brakes.
• Counter steer.
• “Stab” (pump) the brakes for control.