Tips for Smooth Braking”
Braking is a very crucial part of driving. There are many instances when a driver must come to a complete stop or slow down. The most effective way to do this is to press the brake. The concept of braking is simple, press the brake and you will slow down, but it is important to brake smoothly. This not only is more comfortable and safer for you and your passengers, but it also gives other drivers time to break themselves. In this week’s blog, we will look at 5 tips for braking smoothly.
1: Be prepared: It is hard to stop smoothly if you do not know you are supposed to stop. Be on the lookout for slow-moving or stopped cars. When approaching a stop light or stop sign begin braking in advance. The less pressure you have to apply at once will lead to a more gradual stop.
2: Correctly position your foot: Use your right foot. Proper driving procedure uses your right foot for both the accelerator and brake pedal. Adjust your seating position to be able to reach both of these pedals with ease so that you can make solid and repeatable contact with each pedal. You may even be able to adjust your brake pedal’s height and depth.
3: Brace yourself: Have your left foot firmly planted on the ground. Have both hands on the wheel and engage your back and other stabilizing muscles. Preparing these will allow you to have more control over your right foot which is pressing the brake. Being unstable can lead to excessive or under-pressing of the brake.
4: Control your pressure: With proper positioning and proper awareness, you can brake early. Braking early is actually braking on time for you to want to slow down gradually and stop at your destination. Braking too abruptly can lead to skids or losing control of the vehicle, especially in icing or slick conditions. Firmly and gradually push the brake further in. This will take practice for all cars have a different distance of travel and weight for the brake pedal.
5: Be aware of hazards: When you notice a hazard, it is a good idea to slow down. Or at least be prepared to slow down. Remove your foot from the accelerator and rest your right foot over the brake pedal. This will cause you to coast and allow you to have a quicker response time to press the brake for you are already in position and ready. If you do not have to slow down, then re-engage the accelerator and continue on your way. Being prepared is always the safe idea.
Braking is a vital part of driving. Braking too aggressively can be dangerous, but so can under braking. Braking takes practice to master. If you have ever been in a car where the driver does not know how to properly brake it can be stress provoking and dangerous. With these tips listed above and practice improper braking will be a thing of the past.