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Is it better to brake quickly or slowly?
My son is learning to drive and he doesn’t believe me that slow braking is better. Have things changed? Is it better to brake quickly or slowly?
Bonnie Stinson · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
You’re right, it is generally better to brake slowly.
Unless you’re in a situation where you need to come to a quick stop, slow and gradual braking is best.
Here are two main reasons you can share with your son to explain why slow braking is better.
First, slow braking is more gentle on your brake pads and rotors. Fast braking increases heat and friction, thus increasing wear and tear. Slow braking will preserve the quality of your vehicle’s brake system and reduce the overall cost of car ownership.
Second, slow braking is more predictable to other drivers—and a predictable driver is a safe driver! Quick stops can be difficult for other cars to anticipate and react to. Slow stops can help you avoid accidents by making your vehicle’s movements easy to read.
It can take time for new drivers to learn how to brake safely. After all, it’s exciting to get behind the wheel! To a teen driver, it can feel more effective to simply hit the brake once rather than pressing the brake pedal continuously for several seconds. He’ll learn!
Try shopping around with the
Jerry
app. Some companies offer better deals for young drivers
. Your son could even unlock good student discounts
for you!View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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