Emergency Stop: Step 3

Unit Three Subject 9 - Emergency Stop: Step 3 - Skids

Unit 3 - Basic Skills:
Home page

1 - Show/Tell:
1. Overview

2 - Drivers Eyesight:
1. Introduction
2. Eye checks
3. Eyesight problems
4. Project

3 - Cockpit Drill:
1. Introduction
2. The drill
3. Explanation

4 - Moving off:
1. Introduction
2. The basics
3. POM Introduction
4. Prepare
5. Observe
6. Move
7. Brake tests
8. Stopping
9. Summary
10. Project

5 - Using Gears:
1. Introduction
2. Observation
3. Selective gear changing
4. Smooth changes

6 - Hazard Routine:
1. Introduction
2. Easy starting point
3. Mirrors
4. Signals
5. Manoeuvre
6. Project

7 - Junctions:
1. Introduction
2. Emerging
3. Approaching
4. Approaching right
5. Crossroads
6. Roundabouts

8 - Hills:
1. Introduction
2. Downhill safety
3. Parking
4. Uphill starts
5. Downhill starts

9 - Emergency Stop:
1. Introduction
2. The method
3. Skids
4. The driving test
5. Project

DRIVING HOME PAGE

Dealing with emergency stop skids

The video above is taken from the Watch, Learn Drive programme and considers emergency stop skids..

Some people wrongly believe that you cannot skid in a car with ABS. Although the brakes won't lock the wheels the car can still skid at high speeds or on very slippery surfaces - remember cars don't only skid forwards, they can slide sideways or spin.

With practise and a sensitive feel for the brakes, you should never skid during the emergency stop exercise; even if the road is wet or snow covered.

If you are faced with a skid in a real emergency, or if your nerves make you a little heavy footed during your practise sessions you will need to deal with the situation.

The best way to learn about skid control is to visit a specialist skid training school. If the opportunity arises during the winter months you could take car to an empty, snow covered car park and 'play' for 20 minutes or so - but make sure that you are not breaking any by-laws or causing danger or inconvenience to others..

Whether or not you get a safe opportunity to practice skid control you must know the theory.

There are various causes of skids. Although there are three factors involved in all skids:

The driver

The vehicle

The road

While the vehicle and the road play a part, it is always the driver who causes the skid.

Skids can be caused by harsh braking or acceleration, rough steering, excessive speed for the conditions sudden release of the clutch.

With ABS you will not experience excessive straight line skids however the car can skid sideways, especially if the wheels are not straight when braking or where the road has a steep camber.

If the car skids to the left or right (because it has become unbalanced), look well ahead and steer for safety. By looking where you want to go (as opposed to where the car is pointing) you will naturally turn the wheel in the direction of the skid; this in turn will straighten the car and help you to regain full control. This is often described as 'steering into the skid'.

Given the possibility of skids, it is of the utmost importance that you take the relevant safety precautions when doing the emergency stop project.

Dealing with emergency stop skids

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