What's the purpose of anti-lock braking systems (ABS)?

Answer: B — To prevent wheels from locking during braking

The purpose of anti-lock braking systems (ABS) is to prevent the wheels from locking during hard braking. When a driver applies the brakes suddenly, without ABS, the wheels may stop turning completely, which can lead to a loss of steering control and potentially result in skidding. ABS helps to avoid this by automatically modulating the brake pressure on each wheel, allowing them to continue rotating and maintaining traction with the road surface. This enables the driver to steer while braking, which is especially crucial in emergency situations. By allowing the driver to maintain control, ABS significantly contributes to overall vehicle safety and stability during braking. Though ABS can impact stopping distances under certain conditions, its primary role is to ensure that the wheels do not lock up, thus enhancing vehicle control rather than simply decreasing stopping distance.