What happens to vehicles that do not have antilock brakes during a hard stop?

Vehicles that do not have antilock brakes (ABS) can experience significant issues during hard stops. When a driver applies the brakes forcefully, the wheels can lock up, meaning they stop turning completely. When this occurs, the vehicle can begin to skid. This is particularly dangerous because the driver loses steering control, making it difficult to maneuver or avoid obstacles.

In contrast, vehicles with antilock brakes are designed to prevent wheel lock-up. ABS allows the driver to maintain steering control during a hard stop by automatically modulating brake pressure, thus helping to prevent skidding and maintain stability. Therefore, the inability of non-ABS vehicles to maintain control during hard braking directly leads to the first response regarding skidding out of control.