In an emergency stop situation without ABS brakes, what should you avoid?

In an emergency stop situation without ABS brakes, it is important to maintain control of the vehicle. Letting up on the brakes if the wheels are still turning could cause your tires to skid. When skidding occurs, you lose the ability to steer effectively and the vehicle could spin out of control.

By keeping pressure on the brakes, you maximize the deceleration of the vehicle, allowing you to come to a stop faster while attempting to maintain control. If you do feel the wheels lock up while braking, the correct response is to ease off the brakes slightly and then steer, but keeping the wheels rolling is key to retaining steering control and stability.