Most drivers press the brake pedal to stop their car or truck and give little second thought to what's going on in the process. Even when a panic situation requires sudden brake application and violent steering, drivers commonly carry on oblivious to some of the features that may have just saved their hide.

Brake technology has advanced considerably in the past years- and more features and functionality are becoming commonplace on today's new rides. Automakers are making more and more use of electronic-driven braking systems in the name of keeping you and your family safe.

Correct functioning of the brakes, the ABS and the On-Board Diagnostic System are tested on a roller-type test stand.

The Antilock Braking System (ABS) is fairly common as standard equipment on new vehicles, and it's been around for many years. The Antilock braking function is intended to ensure that the vehicle remains steerable during panic stop maneuvers.

In a panic when drivers apply full brake pressure, the wheels of a car tend to 'lock up', meaning they stop moving before the car does. This prevents the vehicle from being able to steer, and can otherwise result in a dangerous loss of control- or helplessly plowing into an obstacle rather than being able to steer around it.

ABS constantly monitors the vehicle's speed and the speed at which the wheels are turning. By doing so, the on-board computer is able to precisely meter out stopping power in calculated bursts that slow the machine down as quickly as possible while keeping the wheels moving. The computer can think more clearly in a panic situation than a human driver, and can help keep the car under control.

Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) is another feature that's gaining popularity. This system has the ability to detect available traction at each tire, and applies braking pressure accordingly to each wheel during a fast stop.

Let's say a vehicle was quickly decelerating with the driver's side tires on snow and the passenger side tires on pavement. Without EBD, the vehicle could lurch violently to one side, as the two wheels on snow would tend to lock up quickly while the other two continued to rotate.

EBD ensures that braking power is metered out precisely to the wheels that need it the most, working with them on an individual basis to compensate for potential variations in traction at the roads surface. The system can also help compensate for heavy and uneven loads on board the vehicle.

Volvo's Electronic Brake Distribution.