SuperDriver Learning Centre - Emergency Stop
Emergency Stop
Despite your all around awareness, despite your skill at reading the road, you may have to perform an Emergency Stop to avoid an incident. It is imperative that you know what to do.
On your driving test you have a 1 in 3 chance of being asked to do an Emergency Stop. In life after learning ???? The Emergency Stop is not a manoeuvre, you either get it or not. A manoeuvre must include reversing.
If the Emergency Stop is going to happen on your test, your examiner will firstly ask you to pull over on the left. The examiner will say that they want you to perform an Emergency Stop. They will ask you to set off as normal and when they give you the hand signal and say stop, they want you to stop as if you were in an emergency. They will reassure you by saying they will check over their shoulder before asking you to stop (they have to check it is safe). They will not shout stop at you, it is all very calm.
When you have stopped, the examiner will thank you, inform you that you wont be asked by them to do it again and for you to set off when you are ready/safe to do so. In our experience the maximum speed of the road they will use is 30mph for learner tests. It may be a higher speed if you are a Potential Driving Instructor.
SO HOW DO YOU IT?
Drive normally, drive at the correct speed for the road and conditions. Regardless of whether you are on a driving test or not, the routine will be same.
1. Do not check your mirrors. There isnt time. Whilst driving you will have been looking around, checking your mirrors when slowing down or speeding up or changing direction. So you know what it is going on around you.
2. Keep your hands on the steering wheel until you have stopped. You may need your hands to steer to avoid an incident if braking isnt enough. It can be a serious fault on test if you take your hands off the steering wheel.
3. Manual. Using your right foot brake quickly and firmly until you stop. Do not stomp on the brakes, you will skid and that means your stopping distance will be increased. What about the Clutch? Before your come to a stop press the clutch pedal all the way down.
If you are moving slowly, for example less than 10mph you may have to operate the clutch and brake at the same time. Above 10mph ish it should be brakes first then clutch. Lets imagine you are going down hill, or you are driving fast, if you press the clutch first the car will speed up. This means your stopping distance will be increased.
3. Automatic. Using your right foot brake quickly and firmly until you stop. Do not stomp on the brakes, you will skid and that means your stopping distance will be increased.
4. When you have stopped, secure the car. We recommend selecting neutral and applying the handbrake. If you are causing a hazard, you may consider using your hazard warning lights.
5. Setting off when its safe. When the examiner tells you to set off when you are ready, you must carry out a full POM routine before setting off. If it is not safe, do not set off.
