Totally agree, Rox. Particularly re having dangerous situations thrust upon you. Another bit of advice from the bus instructor was “always assume that the other bloke IS out to kill you” – so constantly monitor your course for the escape tactic. Worked many times, successfully, for me: including an artic’s rear load door swinging open, I managed to ditch, sliding, into sidestreet. Damaged wheels but car still had roof and I still had head!
Wish I had a local area where I could try limits, as you did, but it’s all too neat down here. Really think the “let-go” point of individual car is important to know. They’re all different: my old Nissan 200sx gave plenty of warning and was perfectly controllable and happy going sideways; my original 1976 mini once had total brake failure on one side and just went, spun wildly. Had just enough control (handbrake) to ditch into set of railings and avoid parked cars and pedestrians.