Emergency Stopping
There are times when something unexpected occurs that requires you to brake suddenly. The key to emergency braking is to stop the vehicle as quickly as possible without losing control of your vehicle.
Emergency stopping is sometimes necessary when there is an unplanned or unexpected event. The goal of emergency braking is to stop as soon as possible without losing control of the car.
Most vehicles are equipped with an antilock braking system (ABS). The ABS allows you to steer while the brakes are being applied. ABS applies brake pressure at each wheel, cycling from locked to slightly rolling. You will feel this as a vibration through the brake pedal. With ABS you can brake as hard as you need without losing your ability to steer.
To brake in an emergency, follow these steps:
• Apply firm and consistent pressure to the brake pedal
• Don’t pump the brakes
• Pay attention to where you want to go and guide the vehicle there.
It may be helpful to read your vehicle’s manual for more tips and techniques that are specific to your vehicle.
Losing Control
The road surface, the speed of your vehicle, turning, and the condition of your tires can contribute to a skid. Skidding means you have lost control of the vehicle. To regain control, do not touch the brake or the accelerator, and look and steer where you want the front of the vehicle to go.
There are lots of things that can lead to your car skidding, including how fast you’re going, if you’re turning, and what condition your tires are in. Skidding means that you no longer have control over your car. To regain control, leave the brake and the accelerator alone and steer where you want the front of your car to go.
Most of the time, skids happen because of a mistake the driver made.
A skid can occur when you:
• Are going too fast on a road that is not well-maintained or not made for high speeds.
• Turning the wheel too harshly.
• Turning too much while going fast.
• Braking too much or too quickly.
• Accelerate too quickly.