Controlled Stop - Autos

Drivers cause accidents. They make the mistake that causes the crash.

It does not matter who caused the accident. It happned because someone made a mistake.

This is why most driving instructors tell their learner drivers rule number one on their first driving lesson. Rule number one sates "Everybody else on the road is a complete and utter fool. Treat them as such. Stay well away and tell them what you are going to do". Staying away from foolish drivers is easy. You need to develop the habit of good hazard awareness. Try to anticipate what the other driver is going to do.

Even the best drivers are caught out occasionally. They will have to react quickly to prevent an accident. This article explains how to stop in an emergency.

Your driving instructor should practice the emergency stop with you. You should practice it with in a driving school car. Other drivers expect you to stop suddenly. The driving instructor knows when it is safe to stop suddenly.

You should only use this technique to prevent injury to yourself or another road user.

You are driving along a country road and a small bird flies out of a hedge six feet from you. You would not carry out an emergency stop, it is not going to hurt you or damage the car. If it a cow, or large animal, ran out six feet from you then you would need to do the emergency stop. The impact will hurt you and the car.

A Scottie dog runs into the road feet in ront of you. You would not do the emergency stop. Neither you nor the car are likely to be hurt. A German Shepherd Dog would need an emergency stop because that impact will hurt you and the car.

This does not mean that you should run over dogs or birds. If you can stop in time then stop.

What if a child runs out in front of you? What if a car pulls out in front of you?

You will need to practice the manoeuvre. Only your driving instructor or driving examiner can insist on you doing this exercise. We are trained to decide if it safe. If you are practising with a relative, you both must decide if it is safe.

The Controlled Stop

The emergency stop is best described as the controlled stop. You want to stop quickly and under control. Do not check your mirrors. There is no time. Hold the steering wheel firmly. Brake followed straight away by the clutch Firm fast breaking to a halt Secure the car and check no one is hurt. Move off as you normally would.

Skids Skids are caused by driver error. The driver did not match their speed and gear to the road conditions.

If you are skidding, lift your feet off the pedals If you are skidding in a straight line just keep the steering wheel straight. Steer into the skid until the car is straight. Steer left if you are skidding right.

If you are skidding to the left, steer to the right.

ABS Most modern cars are equipped with ABS. This is a system of sensors. If the wheels are locking under hard braking, the sensors make the car take over braking. The ABS will work the brakes faster than you can.

ABS allows you to steer in an emergency. IT DOES NOT PREVENT SKIDDING.

If, when braking in an emergency, you feel a 'thump thump' under the pedals it is the ABS. Just keep braking.