The objective of this investigation was to establish the extent by which the average driver is able to exploit the increased steering and braking controllability given by an ABS braking system. To this end 77 average drivers, selected from various age groups, carried out 5 controlled driving tests simulating driving manoeuvres with a high accident risk element. The manoeuvres being carried out with two identical vehicles, one with standard conventional brakes, and the other with a Lucas Girling SCS system(1) installed. The following driving tests were programmed
The SCS system proved to be an advantage to the average driver in all live manoeuvres. The advantage increased as the road adhesion reduced. In total, the average driver experienced problems of either leaving the marked lane or contacting obstacles 2.4 times more frequently with the standard than with the SCS equipped vehicle.