What causes a skid in a vehicle?

A skid occurs when a vehicle loses traction, and this can often be attributed to factors such as over braking, over steering, or over accelerating. When a driver exceeds the limits of the vehicle's traction, it results in a loss of control, causing the tires to slide rather than maintaining their grip on the road.

Over braking can lead to the wheels locking up, especially if the brakes are applied too hard or suddenly, which can result in skidding. Over steering, on the other hand, occurs when a driver turns the steering wheel more than necessary, causing the back wheels to lose grip and the rear end of the vehicle to swing out. Lastly, over accelerating, particularly on slippery surfaces, can cause the wheels to spin without gaining enough traction, leading to a loss of control.

The other options, while they touch on aspects related to vehicle operation, do not encompass the primary contributors to skidding effectively. Insufficient tire pressure can affect handling and wear over time but is not a direct cause of a skid in the immediate sense. Driving on wet surfaces can indeed lead to skidding, but it is not the sole cause, as skids can occur on dry surfaces as well due to driver inputs. Frequent gear shifting does not typically cause