Emergency Stop

Emergency Stop Explained

Emergency Stop

An emergency stop is used when you need to stop the car as quickly and safely as possible because something unexpected has happened ahead. You need to react promptly, keep the car under control and brake firmly without losing control of the steering.

Once stopped, secure the car, then make effective all-round observations before moving away again, as the situation around you may have changed.

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Emergency Stop - Why?

Things happen or people do things without thinking, as a driver you want to be able to deal with anything that happens.

Whether its a child running to see there friends or to an ice cream van

Through to someone with their headphones on, who is just in a world of their own and doesn't even know that you are there.

When you're taking your driving test, there's a 1-in-3 chance that you'll be asked to complete an emergency stop. If you end up having to demonstrate an emergency stop, the examiner will tell you to pull up on the left beforehand and give you verbal instruction.

Emergency Stop - The examiners instruction

“In a short time, I will ask you to carry out an emergency stop. I will do so by giving the signal, “stop”, and raising my hand.

When I do, I'd like you to stop as quickly and as safely as possible.

Don't worry about looking around, I will make sure it's safe before asking you to do so.

Emergency Stop - How To Do It

Emergency Stop - How To Do It

No mirrors

As a normal part of your driving you should be checking your mirrors regularly.

Therefore when something unexpected happens in front

There is no need to check the mirrors for what is behind.

Your prime concern is for whoever has stepped out in front of you.

Emergency Stop - Quickly on the brakes

The fact that we are trying to save the life of someone that has stepped out in front of us means we need to react quickly

So before doing the actual emergency stop, it's always good to just practice moving your foot quickly from the gas pedal and onto the brake pedal

Emergency Stop - Keep Both Hands On The Wheel

The reason for this is not just about control of the vehicle

In an emergency stop - when the car is braking suddenly, the weight of the car is thrown forwards.

Having both your hands on the wheel, acts as a shock absorber, and stops you being pushed forward on to the steering wheel.

This way you remain in control of the vehicle

Emergency Stop

The weight of the car is thrown forward in an emergency stop.

This means the back of the car becomes very light

If the rear brakes are not adjusted properly

it may result in a rear wheel skid

Emergency Stop - Brakes Before Clutch

Remember in an emergency stop its BBC - Brakes Before Clutch

If we press the clutch down first and you are on a slight downhill

The danger is, the car will start to speed up.

However if we don't press the clutch down

The danger is, that the car stalls

As it stalls it will jump forward and hit whoever has stepped out in front

Don't Slam the brakes so you skid

The DVSA book DRIVING THE ESSENTIAL SKILLS states

"Avoid braking so hard that you lock any of the wheels"

If you lock the wheels - you still keep moving forwards - If you lock the wheels and the ABS is activated - you still don't stop any quicker

ABS just provides a small amount of steering control that you wouldn't have had otherwise.

If you get used to stopping so harshly that the ABS activates, then if you have a car without it, the danger is, you lose total control of the vehicle

ABS DOES NOT MAKE YOU STOP QUICKER IT JUST ALLOWS A SMALL AMOUNT OF STEERING CONTROL

Handbrake on - Be prepared to keep brakes on too

By putting the handbrake on - this allows you time to compose yourself

it also allows time to select the correct gear - Get the bite point and Gas before moving off.

Full All Around Observations

Before moving off remember to do a full all around check.

Left Blindspot,

Left Mirror

Centre mirror, ahead, right mirror, right blindspot then if its safe drive on

The reason for this is, you are not pulled up at the side of the road, so anything could now be trying to get past on either side.

So you need to check all around that it is safe, before driving on.

Forward Bay Park

Learn how to do the reverse bay park, including the reference points you need to position the car accurately and safely within the parking bay.

Pull up on the right

Learn how to pull up on the right and reverse, including the reference points and observations you need to position the car safely and accurately.

Reverse Bay Parking

Learn how to reverse bay park including the reference points, steering and observations you need to position the car safely, accurately and close to the kerb.

Emergency Stop

Learn how to perform an emergency stop, including the observations, braking and control needed to stop the car quickly, safely and under full control.