Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)

The primary purpose of anti-lock brakes is to help the driver brake and steer the car under a hard or panic braking situations

Anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from locking up and skidding on the road under hard braking situations. When you brake hard at high speeds in a car without anti lock brakes it will lock the wheels which will cause them to skid on the road with a screeching sound. When the wheels start skidding the driver cannot steer the car while braking to avoid the very object he is trying to avoid crashing into.  When your car does have anti-lock brakes, under the same circumstances hit the brakes and the wheels do not lock up but the car slows down rapidly. You still have control over the steering and therefore can steer the car in which ever direction you want, avoid whatever is in your way and come to a safe halt.