When a car is skidding on snow, why do the front tires have to be spinning in order to maintain control?

Question

Is there something to do with the traction or friction with spinning tires ?

Answer 1

It has to do with the static and kinetic coefficients of friction. For nearly all interfaces, static (gripping) friction is larger than kinetic (sliding) friction.

It is the same story with a car's tires. When the tires are rolling, the rubber is more or less motionless relative to the snow, so static friction will apply. However, when the brakes have locked the wheels, the tires are sliding over the snow, so kinetic friction will apply. Since kinetic friction is smaller than static friction, the car that locks its wheels under braking will have a larger braking distance.

That's why the anti-lock braking system (ABS) was developed.