When driving on a wet or icy road in a vehicle equipped with ABS brakes and you need to stop quickly, what is the best action?

When driving on a wet or icy road in a vehicle equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) brakes, the best action when you need to stop quickly is to brake as hard as you can. The ABS system prevents the wheels from locking up during hard braking, which helps maintain steering control while the vehicle decelerates.

By applying maximum pressure to the brake pedal, you allow the ABS to engage, which will modulate the brake pressure automatically to prevent wheel lock and reduce skidding. This allows for effective stopping while enabling you to retain control of the vehicle. On slippery surfaces, maintaining control is crucial for avoiding collisions or losing control of the vehicle.

Pumping the brake pedal is not recommended with ABS brakes because the system is designed to handle this automatically, and pumping may lead to extended stopping distances. Turning off the ignition and applying the handbrake is dangerous and can result in loss of control, especially when driving at higher speeds. Coasting to a stop does not provide adequate deceleration in emergency situations and can be significantly less effective than utilizing the braking system properly.