What should a driver do in a vehicle without ABS during a front-wheel straight-line skid?

In a vehicle without Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), when experiencing a front-wheel straight-line skid, the correct response is to press and release the footbrake at rapid intervals. This technique is known as "threshold braking." It allows the driver to maintain steering control while managing the braking force. On a slippery surface, applying the brakes continuously can cause the wheels to lock up, making it difficult to steer or regain control. By quickly pressing and releasing the brake pedal, the driver can modulate the braking force and potentially regain traction without losing steering control.

Steering into the skid is not beneficial in this particular scenario because the skid involves the front wheels, which are responsible for both braking and steering. It would be ineffective to steer without controlling momentum through braking. Applying the handbrake slowly can lead to further loss of control, as it might cause the rear wheels to lock up, resulting in a loss of stability. Accelerating during a skid is counterproductive, as it can worsen the situation by increasing speed when control is already compromised.