Final answer:
To brake and avoid sudden stops without antilock brakes, you should use a pumping or cadence braking technique. This involves pressing and releasing the brakes repeatedly to prevent the wheels from locking up.
Step-by-step explanation:
To brake and avoid sudden stops without antilock brakes, you should apply the brakes with a pumping or cadence braking technique.
This involves pressing the brakes firmly and then releasing them momentarily before pressing them again.
By repeating this process, you allow the wheels to rotate and prevent them from locking up, which would result in a loss of control and longer stopping distances.
This pumping action works because of the difference between static friction and kinetic friction. When the brakes are initially applied, static friction keeps the wheels from rotating.
However, if the brakes are continuously applied without releasing, static friction transitions to kinetic friction, which is lower.
This results in a loss of traction and longer stopping distances.
By using the pumping technique, you alternate between static and kinetic friction, allowing for better control and shorter stopping distances.