Abs Vs. Standard Brakes

Since the advent of the Anti-lock Brake System, or ABS, the debate has raged over whether a car is safer with or without this system. While on the surface, the question seems simple, it's actually quite complex. Some argue that people rely on ABS too much and take chances they otherwise would not have taken. Others argue that ABS function saves lives by allowing the driver to maintain directional control when he otherwise would not have it.

Advantages of ABS

Early studies demonstrated an increase in single driver accidents on ABS-equipped cars and light trucks and was attributed to driver error in brake application. The common technique of pumping the brake pedal when the wheels lock up, and the early ABS push back on the driver's foot contributed to this increase. There has been a substantial decrease in the numbers of these types of accidents in later studies.

Where the ABS-equipped vehicle has the advantage is in maintaining directional control and stability. The ability of anti-lock brakes to allow the driver to steer around an object is what the system was designed to do. So the primary advantage is the ability to steer out of an accident, instead of locking the wheel and skidding into an accident.

Disadvantages of ABS

While many people believe stopping distances are shorter with ABS, studies have shown there is no significant decrease in most cases. The exceptions are loose gravel and snow, where conventional brakes stop slightly better due to the loose material wedging in front of the tires.

Standard Brakes

The big advantage of non-ABS cars is the reduction in cost. Non-ABS cars have significantly lower repair costs over ABS cars. The fact that many ABS cars require special equipment and training to properly bleed air out of the system, and the added complexity and expensive parts, causes repair cost to be substantially higher.

With the standard brake system, directional stability and control during a panic stop are its weaknesses.

The Human Factor

In a NHTSA test analysis dated August 2000, no correlation was found to indicate a change in driver behavior due to ABS. The study concludes that 44 percent of drivers in non-ABS-equipped vehicles were unable to avoid an accident as apposed to 20 percent in the ABS-equipped vehicle. No appreciable change in driver reactions was noted.

However, due to misconceptions about ABS, driver confidence in a decrease in stopping distance may lead to increases in accidents. The answer to this problem will be in driver training to overcome those misconceptions and train new drivers in proper use of ABS.

Conclusion

The conclusions we can draw from the statistics are that earlier ABS suffered from a lack of driver training, and since prior driver training taught techniques counterproductive to ABS function, an increase in accidents was observed. But as driver training comes inline with ABS function, a decrease in accidents is being observed and will likely continue to improve.