Why do they always ask this question when you get your driver's license?

Question

They say, In a spin, turn your wheels in the opposite direction of the spin...

My question:--- Im curious... what would happen if you turned your wheels in the direction of the spin?

Answer 1

While in a spin, the bottom line is the vehicle is out of control and you're along for the ride...There is virtually no traction between the tires and the ground - like driving on ice...It is a most helpless and frightening event...Too often the vehicle follows its own inertia regardless of what the driver does to try and regain control...Look at NASCAR races and you'll see some good examples...If you are set on trying to see what the experience is like, do it on a practice track in a modified vehicle that can handle a roll-over.

Answer 2

you can't steer out of the spin

Answer 3

You would lose control of the vehicle!  You turn out to gain control back and eventually even out.

Answer 4

That depends upon traction and braking.  If you lock your rear tires, then you can quickly turn the car around.  Timing is very important.  If there is nearly no traction, then it doesn't matter what you do.  Turning in the direction of the spin only matters when there is enough traction to make a difference.  Some spins are not recoverable.  In some cases you have to make it worse before you can make it better.  I suggest that you take some offensive/defensive/evasive driving classes.

That also depends upon whether your vehicle is front or rear wheel drive.  Front wheel drive will try to pull the front around if there is traction.  Rear wheel drive will try to push using the friction of the front tires to direct the vehicle.  If you go from a low to high friction surface very quickly, such as from ice to pavement, then you can quickly be jerked in the direction of the tires with front wheel drive.

Just do what the book says until you learn more advanced techniques and gain experience.

Answer 5

Obviously you are a new driver and have never spun out............try it!

It's actually almost an automatic reaction when it happens, but many drivers do nothing to try to straighten out their vehicle due to their lack of experience and the traumatic feeling of shock when it happens.

By the way, you should always steer as little as possible when handling a skid, and you should steer in the direction in which the rear of your car is travelling. You should also drive according to the road/traffic/weather conditions so that you don't get into trouble in the first place.

I've driven and been in the instructor's seat over 4,000,000 miles, and have never lost control unless there was intention to do so when teaching a winter lesson on a controlled track.

Think and Drive

Answer 6

you would lose control of your car and crash!

Answer 7

It would cause the spin to be worse, if you do it the opposite way you may be able to correct your car.

Answer 8

repair bill gets bigger

Answer 9

u would be all over the road..woowee!

Answer 10

It depends, if its on ice not much if on something that the tires will get grip you are going to see traffic coming right at your windshield from the way you WERE going.

Answer 11

You'll just not regain control of the vehicle, and will probably crash.

Answer 12

Your spin would become more rapid and out of control... by turning in the opposite direction of the spin you are counteracting the action of the spin

Answer 13

You would deferentially lose complete control and have no way to regain it.........................

Answer 14

When I took Drivers Ed, they told us that we would automatically turn in the opposite direction.  That it was an instinct.

  

In simulations, turning with the direction of the spin takes you further out of control.

Answer 15

Like the song says....."turn,  turn,  turn".

Turning your wheels in the direction of a skid is how you try to keep your car pointed in one direction.   This allows you to see what is coming and gives you the best chance at regaining control.    Your  tires can't regain traction unless they are going the same direction as the car.

Answer 16

you would crash.............you would continue in the direction of the spin..............in other words.you would be out of control...youd crash

Answer 17

spin more.. ehehe

Answer 18

You will end up swapping ends in the vehicle and most likely crash.  They ask it to see if you have common sense, which IS necessary to pilot a 2-ton lethal weapon.  Coffee-can mufflers and big spoilers are not.

Jeez, don't you live anywhere near snow?

Answer 19

You would continue to spin. The reason they ask that is because in a spin, you are supposed to turn in the opposite direction, in order to correct yourself, and then stop yourself. To turn the way you are spinning, would either cause you to overcorrect, or to continue spinning.

Answer 20

What they mean is if you lose control and your car is spinning in a circle. You want to turn the opposite direction to try and counter your oversteer. Otherwise, if you turn with it, youll spin in that direction even faster, therefor possibly causing a worse accident.

Answer 21

im pretty sure u would go faster!

Answer 22

The spin continues in that direction?

Answer 23

you would accelerate into the scene of your accident

Answer 24

Where were you in High School when we used to go to empty parking lots on rainy days in souped up Mustangs and cause deliberate fish-tails?!?

Answer 25

You increase the spin.

Answer 26

you would just spin faster!...its fun

Answer 27

well u either die or hit somethin' idk i don't drive.

Answer 28

if you turn your wheel in the opposite direction you can  gain control of your vehicle, and catch traction of your tires.

Answer 29

ok don't have my driver's license(ya know being 14 and everting!) but my guess it that something bad could happen to you, to someone else and to the car,poor old car, sob, sob :'(  i would say don't try it.

Answer 30

It would get worse. You would lose control completely and spin like a top until the momentum stopped.

Answer 31

You will go around and round till you crash into something or flip over.