There are different situations on the roads, especially in a country like Bahrain. Sometimes, in order not to get into an accident, you need to apply the emergency braking technique.
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We will only recall the main points and discuss what to do if the brakes are out of order. Emergency braking is not an easy task, even for a professional, let alone an ordinary car enthusiast. During emergency braking, you cannot break “to the floor” – this will only make it worse. It is necessary to apply the technique of impulse braking. In short, it consists of the fact that you need to press the pedal several times in short movements instead of drowning it “into the floor.”
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The professional driver is capable of delivering four controlled braking impulses in 1 second. For an untrained driver, these are unrealistic numbers. An ordinary driver in an emergency triggers a “protective reflex” to danger – a sharp braking “to the floor”, in which the wheels block.
Emergency Braking Techniques:
Naturally, no ordinary driver is honing emergency braking techniques. Why use some special braking techniques that are not suitable for simple situations? And not everyone wants to spend their time, brake pads and discs. But in vain. Yes, impulse braking may not be necessary under normal conditions, but you need to master its technique for the sake of that one time when it is indispensable.
Many modern cars are equipped with anti-lock braking systems (ABS), sending up to 12 pulses per second. This frequency is beyond the power of even some riders. It would seem that nothing else need – you press the brake pedal “to the floor”, and then the electronics will take care of everything! But ABS, for all its advantages, has serious problems. For example, ABS on front-wheel drive vehicles does not allow you to make a “gas-brake” reception (braking with the left foot while maintaining traction). And this technique is essential on a slippery road. If you have the time and desire, we recommend finding a professional who will teach you this technique.
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In general, ABS is not intended for critical situations but simply as an aid to exclude a gross driver error. In extreme cases, activating ABS further aggravates the problem because:
Problems:
- The driver cannot determine where the car will stop when the ABS activate since the braking process is not controlled by the driver but by the computer.
- Before starting braking, ABS tests the road to determine its slipperiness; that is, there is no braking at all. This is especially noticeable when braking at high speeds (over 130 km / h). This can scare the driver a lot.
- When braking on the road with different surfaces (ice, asphalt, water, snow), ABS relieves forces from particular wheels to maintain the vehicle’s stability or prevent skidding. The driver again thinks that there is something wrong with the brakes. And fear in this situation is a dangerous emotion because, in a state of fright, the driver can make mistakes.
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- ABS does not work at 5 km / h. If the driver at this speed presses the brake “to the floor” (and he has not released it since the moment of emergency braking), the car’s wheels will lock, and the vehicle will begin to slide. Slipping at this speed increases the braking distance by an average of one meter (sometimes by one and a half). And if there is an obstacle at this distance, then a collision cannot avoid.
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The following tips can give to non-professional drivers:
- Press closer to the back of the seat (it is advisable to fasten your seat belt) – this way, you will quickly feel the loss of stability of the car.
- Learn to brake impulsively even in normal conditions – you need to brake intermittently and not by constantly pressing the brake pedal.
- It is advisable to switch gears during braking.
- If you have an automatic transmission, then at speed below 60 km / h, forcibly include the second gear.
- Always keep an extra pair of tyres in the trunk. If you forget, you can also buy tyres in Bahrain. It doesn’t matter if you’re a resident or a tourist.
- Watch the condition of the brake pads, brake discs, brake fluid level, and tyres (not only the tread but also the tyre pressure).
It is important to remember that the braking distance will be longer than without the anti-lock system in braking with ABS. Still, you will maintain control of the car and will be able to correct the trajectory of the steering wheel. This is important if you can avoid a sudden obstacle, avoid a collision, and stay off the road.
