Driving Tips > Safety Columns
Stomp, stay and steer with ABS
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is now standard equipment on most new vehicles sold in Canada, but many drivers still aren’t sure what ABS can and can’t do.
ABS gives you more steering control and helps you avoid skidding when you need to come to a sudden stop. But ABS doesn’t help you come to a stop faster. In fact, when traveling on snow or ice at 50 kilometres an hour, a vehicle equipped with ABS can take one car length longer to stop than a vehicle without ABS.
When you need to come to a sudden stop in an ABS-equipped vehicle, remember these three rules:
- STOMP: Apply the brakes with full and constant pressure. You’ll hear a crunching sound coming from the system, and the pedal will pulsate. This is normal.
- STAY: Keep your foot on the brake. Don’t “pump” the brakes as you would in an older vehicle without ABS. In an ABS-equipped vehicle, the computer is essentially pumping for you at many times a second
- STEER: Steer away from a possible collision. ABS gives you more steering control while applying maximum braking.
Anti-lock brakes are an important improvement in vehicle safety, but they aren’t magic.
No enhancement takes away the need to drive safely. Maintain a safe speed and a four-second following distance, and pay attention to other vehicles, conditions and hazards on the road.
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV, or visit the following sections on this website:
- Anti-Lock Brakes in Driving Tips
- Anti-lock Brakes in Occupant Protection
- You can access the 60-Second video on ABS directly
