What is the purpose of an emergency braking system (ABS)?

An emergency braking system, commonly known as Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), is designed specifically to prevent the wheels from locking during instances of hard braking. When a driver applies the brakes forcefully, there is a risk that the wheels will cease to rotate, which can lead to a loss of steering control and stability. ABS helps mitigate this risk by modulating the brake pressure to each wheel, allowing the wheels to continue rotating while braking. This enhancement not only aids in maintaining control of the vehicle during sudden stops but also reduces the distance required to stop in many situations, making it a crucial safety feature on modern vehicles.

The other options relate to functions that ABS does not control or enhance. The system is not primarily designed to improve fuel efficiency, facilitate faster acceleration, or automatically regulate speed, which are unrelated to braking performance and vehicle control during emergency situations.