New ABS Web Site Launches to Help Drivers Steer to Safety
3 February 1998
New ABS Web Site Launches to Help Drivers Steer to Safety
Leading Manufacturers of Anti-lock Braking Systems Collaborate
to Educate On-Line
http://www.abs-education.org
CHICAGO, Feb. 3 -- The ABS Education Alliance has set its
latest initiative in motion -- a comprehensive Web site
(http://www.abs-education.org). The site is designed to offer drivers easy, online
access to information about how ABS works and how to use it effectively. With
nearly 50 million anti-lock braking system (ABS)-equipped vehicles now on U.S.
roads, the ABS Education Alliance is expanding efforts to ensure that drivers
make the most of this popular safety feature.
A non-profit educational coalition, the Alliance is dedicated to providing
the public with crucial tips for proper use of ABS in emergency stopping
situations.
A Critical Difference
Anti-lock braking systems began to become popular on cars and trucks sold
in America in the mid '80s. Techniques for braking with ABS in sudden stop or
accident avoidance situations differ greatly from methods used with
conventional braking systems.
"It is important for all drivers to become familiar with ABS, whether your
car is ABS-equipped or not," says Alliance director Rosemarie Kitchin. "For
example, when behind the wheel of a rented or borrowed vehicle, you first need
to determine if the vehicle has rear-wheel or 4-wheel ABS. Then you must use
the proper technique for the braking system of that particular car."
Web Site Offers Answers
The ABS Web site targets a wide variety of audiences in addition to the
general driving public, including driver education instructors, motor safety
clubs, and rental car companies. Presented in five simple sections, the site
is designed to allow visitors to access information quickly and easily.
Highlights include:
- ABCs of ABS -- where concerned drivers can easily get up to speed
through concise expert explanations about how the system works
- Driver Ed Curriculum -- where instructors can download ABS lesson
plans, quizzes and evaluations for their classes
- ABS-FAQ -- where consumers can find answers to the most frequently asked
questions (FAQ) on ABS. For example, "Q: How do you know your ABS is
working? A: The driver usually notices a mechanical sound and can feel
some pulsation or increased resistance in the brake pedal."
- Education Resources -- where site visitors can learn about accessing
materials for additional ABS learning, including brochures, videos, the
ABS classroom curriculum, and sample ABS test questions for use on state
driving exams
- Alliance Newsroom -- providing up-to-date industry information,
including bylined articles, press releases, and position statements
* Video clips will be added to the site later this year.
ABS Gives Drivers the Edge
Anti-lock braking systems are recognized by industry leaders as one of the
most significant safety advances in modern automotive engineering. Automotive
author/journalist Lesley Hazelton notes, "Anti-lock brakes could be the most
important development in automobile safety in the last 50 years."
There are two kinds of anti-lock brakes -- four-wheel and rear-wheel.
Four-wheel ABS, found on passenger cars and some light trucks, is designed to
maintain directional stability and steerability in emergency braking
situations. Rear-wheel ABS, found only on some light trucks, vans and sport
utility vehicles (SUVs), is designed to maintain directional stability in
order to prevent the vehicle from skidding sideways.
Along with improving vehicle stability, steering and stopping, ABS enables
drivers to handle emergency braking situations more easily when the driver
keeps a firm foot on the brake at all times. Because ABS helps prevent
skidding and wheel lock-up, it allows drivers to steer around hazards more
easily. These capabilities offer tremendous safety benefits, through all
seasons and weather conditions. With inclement weather now presenting added
road challenges in many regions, the launch of the ABS Web site is well-timed
to help drivers master the essential "dos and don'ts" of braking with ABS.
The ABS Education Alliance, a coalition of anti-lock braking system
manufacturers, works with industry, government, education, safety groups and
the media to educate drivers about the effective use of ABS systems in
emergency braking and stopping situations. For more information about anti-
lock brakes, consumers can visit the ABS Web site (http://www.abs-education.org) or
call the toll-free ABS information line at 800-ABS-8958.
SOURCE ABS Education Alliance
