applying your smart driving skills driving tip Anti-lock braking systems (ABS)  Strategies: emergency braking technique 116 To stop suddenly in an emergency: With ABS: Without ABS: Even when you scan carefully, unexpected hazards can occur.  When that happens, you may need to use emergency braking.  The key to emergency braking is to stop the vehicle as quickly  as possible without locking the brakes. If you lock the brakes,  the wheels stop turning. You will lose control of the steering  and the car may skid.  Learn to use ABS correctly  by practising in a safe  location. Accelerate to  30 km/h, brake hard and  steer around an imaginary  object. Do not pump the  brakes because this turns  the system off. Don’t be  alarmed by brake noise or  shudder — this is normal.  Check your owner’s  manual so you know the  correct braking technique. Most new vehicles have ABS which allows you to brake and  steer at the same time. You can’t do this with ordinary brakes. In an emergency situation, if you have ABS you should apply  continuous, firm, hard pressure to the brake pedal until the  vehicle stops. The computerized sensors automatically release  the brakes from the wheels to prevent locking. Contrary to what some people believe, ABS does not allow you  to drive faster and they don’t always allow you to stop sooner.  On some surfaces, like gravel, the braking distance may be  longer. But ABS can help prevent wheels from locking up on  wet and slippery surfaces. If you have a vehicle with ABS, be sure to check your owner’s  manual for more complete information on emergency braking  techniques. 1. Press down hard on the brake pedal, and hold it down  until you come to a complete stop. 2. Do not pump the brakes. 3. Look and steer in the direction you want to go. 1. Press down hard on the brake pedal, but not hard  enough to lock the wheels. 2. Quickly release the brake and press hard again to  regain control if you start to skid. 3. Look and steer in the direction you want to go. In  most cases, you will not want to lock the brakes when  stopping quickly. However, there may be occasions  when you choose to lock the brakes because stopping  is more important than steering.