Continuous hard braking on ice and snow often:
Answers
Helps you stop faster.
Locks the front wheels of a vehicle, causing a loss of steering.
Keeps the brakes from freezing.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: Locks the front wheels of a vehicle, causing a loss of steering.
When you apply continuous hard braking on ice and snow, the brakes can lock up the wheels, especially if the vehicle doesn’t have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). This is particularly dangerous because when the wheels are locked, they no longer rotate, and the vehicle loses its ability to steer. On slippery surfaces like ice and snow, steering is crucial for maintaining control of the vehicle.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
- Locking the wheels: On icy or snowy roads, the friction between the tires and the surface is much lower than on dry roads. When you apply hard braking without ABS, the wheels can lock up. Once the wheels lock, they stop rotating and, as a result, the vehicle loses traction and the ability to steer. This is called “skidding.”
- Loss of steering control: When the front wheels are locked, you lose the ability to steer because the tires aren’t rolling, and without steering control, it becomes harder to avoid obstacles or navigate turns. This is dangerous, as it can cause the vehicle to slide out of control.
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Modern vehicles are equipped with ABS, which prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking. ABS uses sensors to detect when a wheel is about to lock and reduces braking pressure momentarily, allowing the wheels to continue rotating. This helps you maintain both stopping power and steering control. Without ABS, you must pump the brakes to prevent wheel lock-up, which can be difficult to do in emergency situations.
In summary, continuous hard braking on icy and snowy roads can cause the wheels to lock, resulting in a loss of steering control. To maintain both braking efficiency and steering, it’s important to avoid hard braking and, when necessary, apply brakes in a controlled manner.