Stopping in an Emergency
Emergency Stopping
In normal driving, you should rarely need to brake harshly. However, emergencies — such as a pedestrian or child running into the road — can occur unexpectedly.
Knowing how to stop quickly and under control is essential.
Technique
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Keep both hands on the steering wheel for maximum control.
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Brake firmly and progressively – increase pressure as the vehicle slows.
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Avoid braking so hard that the wheels lock.
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If your vehicle has ABS, you’ll feel a pulsing through the pedal — keep firm pressure until you’ve stopped.
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In manual cars, press the clutch just before the vehicle stops to maintain stability.
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Never use the parking brake while moving – it can cause a skid, as it operates only on the rear wheels.
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Once stopped, apply the parking brake, select neutral, and check all around before moving off again.
The faster you react, the shorter your stopping distance. Early braking is the safest braking.
Conditions and Surfaces
On dry roads, apply firm pressure.
On wet, icy, or loose surfaces, reduce pressure to maintain grip and increase your following distance.
Defensive Driving
The best emergency stop is the one you never have to make.
To avoid dangerous situations:
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Look well ahead and read the road
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Watch for children, pedestrians, and school zones
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Be alert for reflections or movement near parked cars
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Always drive at a speed that allows you to stop safely within the distance you can see to be clear
Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS)
ABS activates automatically under hard braking to prevent wheel lock-up.
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The system uses sensors to detect when a wheel is about to lock.
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It momentarily releases and reapplies brake pressure several times per second.
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You’ll feel a pulsing sensation in the brake pedal — keep firm, steady pressure and do not pump the brakes.
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ABS allows you to steer while braking, helping you avoid obstacles.
ABS doesn’t always reduce stopping distance, but it helps maintain control. It can’t overcome physics — tyres may still skid on ice, water, or loose gravel.
Knowing how ABS behaves in your vehicle can improve your confidence and safety, but it should never replace careful, defensive driving.
Cadence Braking
For many years, drivers were taught cadence braking as the safest way to stop quickly in an emergency. Before the widespread introduction of Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), stamping hard on the brake pedal could cause the wheels to lock, resulting in a loss of steering control and a longer stopping distance on many road surfaces.
Cadence braking involved repeatedly applying and releasing the brake pedal in quick succession. This helped the tyres regain grip between each application, allowing the driver to maintain some steering while slowing the vehicle. It was an effective technique, but one that required practice, skill and split-second judgement.
The introduction of ABS has transformed emergency braking. Instead of relying on the driver to pump the brakes, the vehicle's electronic control system does it automatically. ABS can apply and release brake pressure many times every second, preventing the wheels from locking while allowing the driver to retain steering control.
When driving a vehicle fitted with ABS, the correct technique is simple:
- Apply the brake firmly and immediately.
- Keep constant pressure on the brake pedal, even if you feel it pulsing or vibrating.
- Continue steering to avoid hazards if necessary.
One common mistake is releasing the brake pedal when the ABS activates because the vibration feels unusual. In reality, this pulsing is a sign that the system is working correctly. By lifting off the brake, the driver reduces the effectiveness of the system and increases the stopping distance.
The main exception is when driving on deep snow (and, in some situations, loose gravel). A locked wheel can sometimes build up a wedge of snow in front of the tyre, helping the vehicle stop over a shorter distance. However, this comes at the expense of steering control, which is why ABS remains the safest option in almost all road conditions.
For today's drivers, the message is clear: if your vehicle has ABS, brake hard, keep your foot firmly on the pedal and let the system do its job. Understanding how modern braking systems work is just as important as learning the techniques that came before them, ensuring drivers can make the safest decisions when every metre counts.