When braking a vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), the driver should do which of the following?

When using a vehicle equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), it is essential to press down hard on the brake pedal and continue steering the vehicle. This method is effective because ABS is designed to prevent the wheels from locking up during heavy braking, allowing the driver to maintain better control over the vehicle. When the driver applies steady pressure to the brake pedal, the system automatically modulates the brake pressure to each wheel, which helps maintain traction with the road while braking. This enables the driver to steer around obstacles while still slowing the vehicle effectively, making it a critical safety feature during emergency situations.

Other responses suggest actions that can either undermine the efficiency of the ABS or misinterpret how the system functions. Pumping the brakes can disengage the ABS's benefits, while doing nothing assumes the system will correct the vehicle's path without driver input, which is not the case. Steering away from the skid is more applicable in non-ABS situations and does not capitalize on the advantages that ABS provides.