What is an emergency stop?
An emergency stop is an important driving skill that all drivers must master. It is a manoeuvre that involves stopping the car as quickly and safely as possible in an emergency situation. It is part of the driving test and is usually taught during your driving lessons.
Learning how to do an emergency stop correctly can help you stay safe on the roads and prevent serious accidents from happening. It can also help you pass your driving test with ease, as it’s one of the most important skills that examiners look for when assessing a driver’s capabilities. Understanding what an emergency stop is and how to do it properly can save lives!
When you are learning to drive your driving instructor will ensure you practice and master a number of different manoeuvres before your test. Not knowing which manoeuvres you will be asked to demonstrate on your driving test can cause some anxiety. Preparation and practice are key to helping you master these skills, so they can be performed safely, in a real-life scenario you may only have a fraction of a second to react.
A driving test examiner will want to test that you are able to stop the car quickly, safely, and without losing control. The examiner will give you plenty of warning and will often begin by asking you to pull up safely on the left, shortly after they ask you to set off they will ask you to carry out an emergency stop, often by holding up their hand and saying “Stop”.
Hopefully, once you have passed your driving test you will never need to perform an emergency stop. In most cases, your hazard perception skills will help you avoid a situation where an emergency stop might be needed. Occasionally, emergencies can happen, and knowing how to complete this manoeuvre safely is essential.
It is important to remember that an emergency stop should only be done when absolutely necessary, as it can be dangerous and can cause damage to the car.
How to complete an emergency stop
You should apply the brakes with maximum pressure without locking the wheels. You should keep the car in a straight line, as turning the wheel can cause the car to spin out of control. Stopping distances can be affected by many factors including the weather conditions, and the state of the cars tyres and brakes.
If you have to complete an emergency stop during your driving test or in real life you should ensure that you are looking ahead and checking your mirrors. Be aware of your surroundings, so that you can anticipate what other road users might be doing. You should try and remain calm and in control during this manoeuvre.