How to brake correctly? The brake is the most important pedal we have available. Correct braking habits can make the difference between an avoided accident and even a violent impact. Of course, the effectiveness of braking also depends on tire conditions, but proper management of this pedal is fundamental to "defuse" dangerous situations or avoid costly damage. Control and awareness are needed, while instinctive reactions that could have serious consequences should always be avoided.
How to use the brake correctly? Let's look at some tips.
First rule: brake little. This is not a contradiction; braking correctly also means braking only when necessary. If you don't need to stop at a traffic light or avoid a car that brakes suddenly, the best thing to do is slow down by lifting your foot off the accelerator. Obviously, make sure you have enough safety distance to avoid risks!
Not enough? If braking is truly necessary, don't do it at the last moment. You will avoid damage or, in any case, greater—and unnecessary—wear on the brake pads. And you will avoid the risk of becoming a sudden obstacle for the vehicle behind you.
Effective braking must be progressive: press the pedal firmly, then reduce the pressure, without lifting your foot. The opposite behavior—first pressing the pedal lightly and then progressively increasing the braking intensity—is very common, but it is wrong: the risk is not being able to stop the vehicle in time.
The premise, always valid: drive focused. You will be able to recognize risky situations in time, without being forced to react in an emergency.
Then, emergencies are always possible. In these cases, how to brake correctly? Find out in our manual Sicuri al volante! The manual is available in print on Amazon and in both eBook and print versions on Lulu
