Handling Skids and Loss of Control
Loss of control or skidding is a common cause of accidents in Ghana, especially during:
- Rainy weather and wet roads
- Unpaved or gravel surfaces common in rural areas
- Sharp turns and bends on mountain roads
- Sudden braking or swerving to avoid obstacles
- Dusty conditions during harmattan season
⚖️ Legal Note: Causing an accident by skidding due to excessive speed or loss of control can be prosecuted as Careless Driving (Regulation 150 of LI 2180), carrying penalties of 10-25 penalty units.
⚠️ Knowing how to react correctly can prevent accidents and save lives. Skid recovery is a critical skill for every Ghanaian driver.
What Is a Skid?
A skid occurs when your tires lose grip with the road surface, causing the vehicle to slide uncontrollably:
↗️
Front-wheel Skid (Understeer)
The vehicle continues straight even when you turn the wheel. Common when entering turns too fast or on slippery surfaces.
↘️
Rear-wheel Skid (Oversteer)
The back of the vehicle slides sideways. Often caused by sudden acceleration or sharp turns on loose surfaces.
↔️
Four-wheel Skid
All tires lose grip and the vehicle slides in any direction. Most dangerous and common during emergency braking on wet roads.
Common Causes of Skidding in Ghana
🚗💨
Excessive Speed
Driving too fast for road conditions, especially around curves and on wet surfaces
🌧️
Poor Road Surface
Wet, muddy, oily, sandy, or gravel roads common in many Ghanaian areas
🛞
Faulty Tires
Worn tread, under-inflated, mismatched, or poor-quality tires
⚠️
Sudden Actions
Sudden braking, acceleration, or steering to avoid potholes or animals
Ghana-Specific Skid Risks
Unique Ghanaian Road Conditions That Cause Skids
- First rains after dry season: Oil and dust mix to create extremely slippery surfaces
- Laterite roads: Become slippery mud when wet, causing severe skids
- Harmattan dust: Fine dust reduces tire grip significantly
- Potholes and road patches: Uneven surfaces can cause loss of control
- Overloaded vehicles: Affects braking and handling, increasing skid risk. For truck/bus drivers: Overloading (Regulation 52) is illegal and severely increases skid risk. Ensure loads are secure and within legal limits.
- Poor drainage: Standing water on roads after rains creates hydroplaning risk
Step-by-Step: How to Handle a Skid
1
Stay Calm & Assess
- Do not panic - fear causes overreaction
- Do NOT slam the brakes - this worsens the skid
- Keep your eyes on where you want to go - not on obstacles
- Identify skid type: Front, rear, or four-wheel?
2
Correct the Skid
For REAR-WHEEL skid: Steer gently into the direction of the skid (if back slides right, steer right)
For FRONT-WHEEL skid: Ease off accelerator, do not brake, steer gently where you want to go
For FOUR-WHEEL skid: Ease off everything - no brake, no accelerator, steer gently
3
Regain Control
- Gradually reduce speed by lifting off the accelerator
- Avoid sudden movements - smooth inputs only
- Once straightened, accelerate gently to regain stability
- Check mirrors for other vehicles before continuing
4
Use Brakes Properly
Without ABS (older vehicles): Pump brakes gently to avoid lock-up. This is the technique you must use if your vehicle doesn't have ABS.
With ABS (modern vehicles): Press brake pedal firmly and hold – system pulses automatically. Do NOT pump brakes if you have ABS.
Never: Jam brakes, pump if you have ABS, or brake while turning sharply
Tire Maintenance to Prevent Skids
Critical Tire Checks for Ghanaian Drivers
- Tread depth: Minimum 1.6mm legal requirement, but replace at 3mm for safety. Important: Driving with tread depth below 1.6mm is not just unsafe—it's illegal and violates Ghana's vehicle roadworthiness regulations (Regulation 66), which can lead to fines.
- Tire pressure: Check monthly, adjust for load and weather conditions
- Tire rotation: Every 8,000-10,000 km for even wear
- Tire quality: Avoid cheap, worn, or mismatched tires
- Seasonal tires: Consider all-weather tires for Ghana's varied conditions
- Visual inspection: Check for cracks, bulges, or embedded objects weekly
Emergency Tips for Ghanaian Drivers
- If skidding on a slope, shift to lower gear for engine braking
- If skidding occurs on a busy road, use hazard lights to alert others
- After regaining control, pull completely off the road if possible to recover
- If hydroplaning (riding on water), ease off gas until tires regain contact
- Practice in empty parking lots during rain to learn your vehicle's limits
- Always wear seatbelts - they keep you in position to control the vehicle during skids
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Slamming the brakes during a skid
Solution: Ease off everything first, then brake gently if needed
Over-steering or "fighting" the wheel
Solution: Small, smooth corrections work better than large jerks
Panic acceleration to "power out" of skid
Solution: Reduce power first, then gently accelerate once straightened
Focusing on obstacles instead of escape path
Solution: Look where you want to go, not at what you want to avoid
💡 Remember: These reactions are natural but dangerous. Practice the correct techniques to build muscle memory.
Summary (Quick Revision)
🚨 STAY CALM - Panic causes overreaction
🎯 LOOK WHERE YOU WANT TO GO - Not at obstacles
↗️ FRONT-WHEEL SKID: Ease off gas, steer gently
↘️ REAR-WHEEL SKID: Steer into the skid direction
↔️ FOUR-WHEEL SKID: Ease off everything, no sudden moves
🛑 BRAKING: Pump if no ABS, hold firm if ABS equipped
⚖️ LEGAL RISK: Skid accidents = Careless Driving (Regulation 150) fines
🛞 TIRE LAW: <1.6mm tread = Illegal (Regulation 66 violation)
🚛 OVERLOADING: Illegal & increases skid risk (Regulation 52)
🌧️ GHANA RISKS: First rains, laterite roads, harmattan dust
🔄 PRACTICE: Safe location practice builds confidence
