35.37. To stop a skid caused by braking, the driver must first:
UAДля припинення занесення, викликаного гальмуванням, водій у першу чергу має:
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns road safety and vehicle control in critical situations when a vehicle loses directional stability. Skidding during braking is dangerous because the car begins to slide and may spin, enter the oncoming lane, or leave the roadway. Therefore, topics related to regaining control and the driver's correct initial actions are often included in the theoretical exam.
The question tests understanding of the logic of driver actions according to the traffic rules in the sections on driver responsibilities and choosing a safe speed and method of reducing speed (in particular, the requirement to constantly control the movement and safely operate the vehicle). If the skid is caused specifically by braking, the first action should be to eliminate the cause of the sliding: releasing the brake pedal gives the wheels a chance to regain traction with the road, after which steering correction in the direction of the skid becomes effective.
The analysis of the answer options in this exam question is straightforward according to the principle of “action – skid – counteraction.” Stopping the initiated braking is correct, because it most often provokes wheel lock or uneven brake operation and triggers the skid. Disengaging the clutch does not eliminate the cause of the sliding and may worsen control, as it disconnects the engine from the drive wheels unnecessarily. Continuing to brake with the same force, on the contrary, maintains the conditions for skidding and increases the risk of spinning, so it contradicts the goal of quickly restoring the car’s stability and controllability.
Clause 2.3 (subclause "a")
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: before driving, check and ensure the technical serviceability and completeness of the vehicle, as well as the correct placement and securing of the cargo.
Brief application: skidding during braking may be the result of a technical malfunction (in particular, uneven operation of the braking mechanisms), and the Traffic Rules assign the driver the responsibility not to drive a technically faulty vehicle and to check its serviceability before starting the trip.
Clause 2.3 (subclause "b")
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to: be attentive, monitor the traffic situation, respond accordingly to its changes, monitor the correct placement and securing of the cargo, the technical condition of the vehicle, and not be distracted from driving while on the road.
Brief application: the driver must timely recognize the onset of a skid and immediately perform actions that restore the controllability and stability of the vehicle.
Clause 12.1
When choosing a safe driving speed within the established limits, the driver must take into account the traffic situation, the specifics of the cargo being transported, and the condition of the vehicle, in order to be able to constantly control its movement and drive it safely.
Brief application: the key requirement is constant control of movement and safe driving; in case of skidding caused by braking, the primary action is the one that restores control (ceasing the braking that caused the loss of stability).
Clause 12.3
If a danger to traffic or an obstacle that the driver can objectively detect arises, he must immediately take measures to reduce speed up to stopping the vehicle or safely maneuvering around the obstacle for other road users.
Brief application: "take measures" means to act so that speed reduction does not lead to loss of controllability; if braking has already caused a skid, then to safely further reduce speed, it is first necessary to restore stability — to stop braking.
That is, the correct answer is "Stop the initiated braking," given that, according to the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged to constantly control the movement and safely drive the vehicle (clause 12.1), and in case of danger — immediately take measures that ensure the safety of the maneuver/slowing down (clause 12.3), therefore, the first priority is to eliminate the action that caused the loss of stability.
During braking, a car may lose directional stability and go into a skid, meaning the rear part begins to “overtake” the front. This most often happens when the wheels lose traction with the road due to excessively sharp or excessive braking, as well as because of uneven operation of the braking mechanisms on the left and right sides.
In such a situation, the driver’s first task is to eliminate the cause that triggered the skid. If the skid occurred specifically due to braking, continuing to press the brake pedal maintains or even increases the locking/sliding of the wheels, and the car continues to spin to the side. Therefore, the logical and primary action is to immediately stop the initiated braking so that the wheels regain traction and the car begins to stabilize.
After releasing the brakes, the driver can then correct the direction of movement with the steering wheel: turning it in the direction of the skid to straighten the trajectory. But these actions will only make sense when traction is restored; if braking continues, steering often does not produce the expected effect.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Stop the initiated braking," because to stop a skid caused by braking, you must first eliminate its cause and allow the wheels to regain traction with the road.