Driving is full of unpredictable situations. For example, a pedestrian may unexpectedly cross the road or a car in front of you could suddenly stop. Once you are behind the wheel you never know what could happen.
That’s why knowing how to perform an emergency stop is a very essential skill, as it can help save lives, prevent accidents, and keep your insurance premiums lower by reducing the likelihood that you’ll need to make a claim.
Therefore, we will teach you how to safely perform an emergency stop and how to remain in control at all times when driving.
What is an emergency stop?
An emergency stop is a sudden and controlled stop that you make as a quick response to an unexpected hazard on the road.
When braking normally, there is time to gradually reduce your speed. However, an emergency stop requires you to stop immediately whilst still maintaining control of your car and without skidding.
It is important to be reminded that even after you learn and gain confidence on how to safely perform an emergency stop, it is always good practice to be aware of your surroundings at all times when driving.
How to execute an emergency stop in a manual car
Follow these steps to perform an emergency stop in a manual car:
- Grip the steering wheel: make sure you have both hands on the wheel
- Brake: firmly press the brake pedal (don’t slam it, press firmly and smoothly)
- If your car has an anti-lock braking system (ABS): press the clutch and brake at the same time
- If your car does not have ABS: press the brake first then press the clutch just before you stop. Try not to press the clutch too early as this can cause your car to coast
- Apply the handbrake: once your car fully stops, immediately apply the handbrake to secure it
- Check your mirrors: be aware of your surroundings
An anti-locking braking system is a mechanism used to prevent your car from skidding. ABS restores traction and prevents your wheels from locking when you brake. With the anti-locking braking system in place, you may feel a vibration on the brake pedal.
If your car starts to skid during an emergency stop, do not panic, instead release the brake slightly to regain traction and steer into the skid to avoid losing control.
How do I know if my car has ABS?
ABS is now a standard feature in all cars. If your car was made in or after 2004, it’s likely that you have ABS as this was made compulsory in the UK. Pre-2004 cars will sometimes also have this installed.
If you are unsure whether your car has ABS, you can check by:
- Reading your owner’s manual, usually under safety features
- Turning on the ignition, your car should display an ABS light on your dashboard during the system check
How to perform an emergency stop in an automatic car
If your car is automatic the steps are as follows:
- Grip the steering wheel: even if your car is automatic you should ensure you have both hands on the steering wheel
- Brake: firmly press the brake pedal
- Apply the handbrake: once your car fully stops, apply the handbrake
- Put the car lever into park and prevent it from rolling or moving
- Check your mirrors
Performing an emergency stop in challenging weather conditions
Driving in the rain or icy conditions can affect your stopping distance. Stopping distance is the time it takes to completely stop your vehicle, from the time you notice the hazard (thinking distance), to the time when the brakes are applied and the car fully stops.
The traction between your tyres and the roads decreases hugely when there is water, ice, or any substance on the road surface. For this reason, your braking distances are likely to double, requiring even more attention from the driver.
In wet conditions, remember to remain calm and drive at an appropriate speed for the weather. Leave a larger gap between your vehicle and others, keeping both hands on the steering wheel at all times.
If you will be driving frequently in cold, snowy, or rainy conditions it is probably best to invest in winter tyres.
To perform an emergency stop in the rain, use the same processes explained above. However, this time you should allow for more space in between your vehicle and others.
Remember to brake smoothly and gradually to test how the roads are.
Is the ‘emergency stop’ manoeuvre still in driving tests?
Yes, you may be asked to perform an emergency stop during your driving test.
The manoeuvres you will perform on your driving test will be randomly chosen, which is why it is good to be prepared to perform a controlled stop at any point. There is a one in three chance that you will be asked to carry out an emergency stop during your driving test.
On the day of your driving test the examiner may use a verbal cue, such as saying “stop” or even raising their hand. They will also check the traffic behind and around you to ensure it is safe. The examiner may give you sufficient warning before asking you to perform an emergency stop.
Preparing and practising for an emergency stop for your driving test is important. However, there may be some real-life situations that will require you to do this too. You must be prepared in case any of these happen:
- A child runs into the road
- A dog or another animal runs into the road
- A cyclist or a scooter unexpectedly appears in front of your car
- The vehicle in front of you has to perform an emergency stop
If you are taking your driving test soon, consider reading our driving test tips to help you pass for the first time.
Can I fail my driving test for not performing an emergency stop correctly?
Yes, you could potentially fail your driving test if you lose control of your vehicle during an emergency stop. Yet, with proper practise you will be able to safely handle a controlled stop during your test.
Keep practising your emergency stop
Regularly practising an emergency stop with your driving instructor can help improve your reaction time and build confidence for your driving test as well as real-life emergencies.
Be prepared for the unexpected when you are driving.
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