Emergency braking — Maine Permit Test

In an emergency, pumping the brakes is generally the best way to stop, because it stops the car quickly while you keep steering.

Brakes held locked on a car without anti-lock brakes leave you sliding with no steering at all.

Pumping the brakes is generally the best way to stop the car in an emergency.

With anti-lock brakes (ABS), hold the pedal down firmly and let the car do the work.

A driver who pumps an anti-lock pedal keeps letting go just when the system needs steady pressure.

If you have anti-lock brakes, simply hold the pedal down firmly and let the car do the work.

When ABS is working, the brake pedal may vibrate and you may hear clicking; this is normal, and ABS works only while you keep pressure on the pedal.

A driver startled by the buzzing pedal may lift off and lose the braking he needed.

ABS only work if you keep pressure on the brake pedal. The pedal may vibrate, and you may hear a clicking noise. This is normal.

Controlled braking means pushing the pedal down until just before the wheels lock, then releasing, and repeating until the car stops.

Pressing past the point of lock-up turns a fast stop into a slide.

Push down the brake pedal until just before the wheels lock (if you don’t have ABS), or until you feel a need for more steering control.

Without anti-lock brakes, what is generally the best way to stop in an emergency?

Pump the brake pedal. Brakes held locked on a car without anti-lock brakes leave you sliding with no steering at all. Maine Driver’s License Manual, p.94: “Pumping the brakes is generally the best way to stop the car in an emergency.”