Final answer:
The centripetal force prevents a car from skidding out of a curve. It's provided by the friction between the tires and the road and keeps the car on its curved path.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a car rounds a curve, the centripetal force prevents it from sliding out or skidding away from the intended curved path. In simpler terms, it prevents the car from continuing to move in a straight line, which would happen due to inertia as per Newton's first law. The tires of the car interacting with the road surface through friction provide this necessary force. If the coefficient of friction is too low, for example, due to ice or wet conditions, the frictional force won't be sufficient to provide the needed centripetal force, which can lead to the car leaving its curved path and moving off the road.
The feeling of being 'thrown' outwards while the car is turning is due to what is called the 'centrifugal force', which is not a real force but an effect of inertia, since your body tends to remain in motion in a straight line while the car is changing direction.