Regarding skidding/skipping versus slowing down:

According to the laws of physics, one actually decelerates faster if one does not break the force of static friction. If you do that one is now has kenetic friction.

"The coefficient of kinetic friction is typically denoted as μk, and is usually less than the coefficient of static friction."

Basically, the force required to continue start skidding is MORE than the force required to continue skidding. This also means that the force that is being exerted by the friction, that is being used to halt your motion, is LESS if you are stopping by sliding than if you are stopping by not sliding.

To put it in layman's terms, slowing down stops you faster than sliding.


Ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frictio...nt_of_friction







Don't believe me? This is the whole idea behind anti-lock brakes on cars.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-lock_brakes

...and Traction Control

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traction_control