DriveSmart
handling a skid

"Turn in the direction of the skid," said your Driver's Ed teacher. It was bad advice. Unless, that is, he took you to a track or a snowy parking lot and allowed you to develop skill in catching a slide.

Turn Key
Most drivers will be better off if they do not "Turn in the direction of the skid." That's okay, almost nobody knows what "Turn in the direction of the skid" means. And if your rear tires lose traction, you have no time to decipher the complex, unspoken nuances associated with "Turn in the direction of the skid". Did your Driver's Ed teacher mention that at some point you must steer back the other way or you'll go flying off into the trees or opposing traffic? I didn't think so.

Most drivers will be better off if they do not "Turn in the direction of the skid."
As a high-performance driving instructor, I've ridden with hundreds of drivers as they tried to catch a sliding car (and, on their first attempt, almost universally failed). I assert that it's a huge disservice to tell drivers to "Turn in the direction of the skid" and then not allow them the track time necessary to develop car control skills. At best it's a waste of words. At worst it can turn a bad situation into a tragedy.

Logic Follows
The reason: No amount of verbiage can teach you how to catch a sliding car, any more than the same can teach you how to make a perfect 60-foot fly-fishing cast. For the latter, you must spend hours with flyrod in hand. For the former you must spend time sliding sideways. Practice is the only way you can learn either of these skills.


Drivers fall into two groups. The first group is those who can get enough practice to develop the ability to catch a sliding tail. The second group is those who can't get the necessary practice time. The second group includes virtually all Americans.

Continued on Page 2

Copyright autoMedia.com 2000-2009



 
Related Photos More Photos...

street racing VW Jetta
street racin...
car speeding tips
car speeding...
pickup truck cargo carrying tips
pickup truck...
cargo net
cargo net
range rover offroad
range rover ...



Related Articles
Tips from a Professional Speeder
Behind the Wheel of a Big Rig
Giving Teens a Driving Edge
Drive Like a Cop
Involve Yourself: Become a Better Driver


autoMedia Car Blog
Toyota Announces Unintended Acceleration Fix
In a safety drama that has unfolded since summer, when a high-profile case of unintended acceleration brought floor mat issues to national prominence, ... more...

Sneak peek: 2011 Kia Amanti
Kia unveiled its all-new K7 sedan in Korea today, offering the world a sneak peek at a car known as Cadenza in the Middle East and Amanti in North Ame ... more...

Koenigsegg Hits Brakes On Deal to Buy Saab
Koenigsegg Group has walked away from a proposed purchase of Saab from General Motors. The conglomerate lead by supercar-maker Koenigsegg had previous ... more...


Forum Highlights
oldsmobile -TCC
 I have a 1998 oldsmobile, achieva,  v6, auto transmission, 135,000 miles, it seemed to be missing , after changing plugs and wires, throttl ... more...

Re: Aluminum wheels and a flat tire
I am sure you have your tire changed by now, but this is a common problem when using aluminum wheels.  Once you realize you have a problem, hitti ... more...

Re: Chevy 3.8L Engine cutout
 I would call it in intermediate job.  You will need some special tools to do it, but if you have some experience doing repairs, and not jus ... more...


Car Buying Guide

QUICK SEARCH:


Specs, prices, photos & more
SEARCH BY BODY STYLE:
FREE New Car Price Quote
Get the best price - it's easy!
Zip Code

Used Car Buying Guide


2000-2009 autoMedia.com Inc. All Rights Reserved.