Arkansas Commercial Driver License (CDL) Practice Test

How should you handle "brake fade"?

1. Continue driving as normal

2. Avoid using brakes frequently

3. Stop driving immediately

4. Increase your speed

The correct answer is: Avoid using brakes frequently

The correct way to handle brake fade is to avoid using the brakes frequently. Brake fade occurs when the braking system overheats due to continuous use, leading to a decrease in braking effectiveness. By minimizing brake usage, drivers can allow the brakes to cool down, preserving their function and ensuring safety. It's important to adjust driving techniques to reduce the frequency of braking, such as maintaining a safe following distance and anticipating stops early. Choosing to continue driving as normal could lead to an unsafe situation since the brakes may not respond effectively in emergency situations. Stopping immediately might not be feasible depending on traffic conditions and could pose additional risks. Increasing speed would further exacerbate the problem, as it would require more stopping power, which wouldn't be effectively available when experiencing brake fade.