North Carolina (NC) Permit Practice Test 2025 - Free North Carolina Permit Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct approach when stopping on an icy road without anti-lock brakes (ABS) is to pump the brake pedal lightly. This method allows for better control over the vehicle. When you pump the brakes lightly, you create a rhythm that can help prevent the wheels from locking up, which is especially important on slippery surfaces. If the wheels lock, the car can skid, making it difficult to steer and increasing the risk of losing control.

Using the parking brake may not be effective for stopping and can lead to further sliding or loss of control. Applying the brakes hard can cause the wheels to lock up immediately, leading to a skid. Short jabs on the brake may not provide the control needed to stop effectively on ice, as it does not allow for the stabilization that comes from a steady apply. Therefore, pumping the brake pedal lightly is the safest and most effective way to decrease speed on icy roads without ABS.