How do antilock brakes assist drivers?

Antilock brakes (ABS) are designed to prevent the wheels from locking up during braking, particularly in emergency situations. This technology allows for more consistent braking and helps drivers maintain steering control when they need to stop quickly. The main benefit of antilock brakes is that they prevent skidding by modulating brake pressure. When the system detects that a wheel is about to lock up, it automatically reduces brake pressure to that wheel, allowing it to continue rolling and maintaining traction with the road surface. This capability is crucial, especially on slippery surfaces where losing control can lead to accidents.

The other options do not accurately reflect the function of antilock brakes. Increasing braking distance would contradict the purpose of ABS, which aims to improve safety by preventing loss of control. While ABS may enable faster stopping due to better control, its primary function is about maintaining steering control rather than simply reducing stop times. Lastly, while some braking systems may have noise-reducing features, this is not a core function of antilock brakes and does not contribute to their primary safety mechanism.