Abstract: In order to prevent a sudden kickback through the steering wheel which tends to occur when an electrically powered steering motor is de-energized and the vehicle tires are distorted by steering a low speeds and act as springs which cause the steering shaft to suddenly rotate in the reverse direction to that induced by the motor immediately before the de-energization, a circuit is provided which upon a manually operable switch which controls the power supply being moved to an open position, continues to supply a gradually decreasing level of power to the motor control circuit so that in the event that the driver is still applying a torque to the steering wheel, the motor produces a gradually reducing torque which allows the tire distortion to be relieved slowly and obviate any shock to the driver via the steering wheel.