What is the first action to take if your vehicle starts to skid?

The appropriate initial action when your vehicle starts to skid is to steer in the direction you want to go. This technique, known as "steering into the skid," helps realign the vehicle with the intended path of travel. When a vehicle skids, it often occurs due to a loss of traction, and steering towards where you want to go allows the front tires to regain grip on the road. This action aids in reestablishing control over the vehicle, as it directs the front wheels toward the intended direction of travel.

In the context of the other options, braking hard during a skid can exacerbate the loss of control and lead to further skidding. Similarly, accelerating in a skid is likely to worsen the situation by increasing speed and potentially causing the vehicle to lose even more traction. Steering in the opposite direction of the skid can confuse the vehicle's trajectory and could further hinder your ability to regain control, making it crucial to maintain focus on steering towards the desired path for a successful recovery from the skid.