In which situation is it safest to apply brakes slowly?

Applying the brakes slowly is crucial in all these situations to maintain control and ensure safety. When navigating sharp turns, gradual braking helps prevent skidding or losing traction, allowing the vehicle to remain stable and maneuver effectively through the turn. Likewise, when nearing a stop sign, slowing down smoothly gives sufficient reaction time to assess any traffic conditions or pedestrians at the intersection while reducing the risk of sudden stops that could lead to skidding or collisions. In a traffic jam, using gradual braking allows the driver to adapt to changing distances between vehicles while ensuring smooth and safe movement, again minimizing the chances of abrupt stops that could lead to rear-end collisions. Thus, the practice of applying brakes slowly is beneficial in all these scenarios, making it a key component of safe driving techniques.