(HTBABD p52)

"The skill of a driver is generally proportional to the infrequency with which they need to use their brakes"!

Brake once for each hazard!  If you find yourself braking twice for the same hazard it means that the first set of braking was inadequate and you must try again.

Use of the brake pedal should incorporate 3 separate phases which by careful planning and application meld into a single smooth action.  This maintains stability by redistributing the vehicle weight gradually.  Advanced drivers know these phases as Feel - Firm - Feather.

1. Feel in.  At the beginning of braking apply the brake pedal just enough to take up the ‘slack' and get the brake pads into contact with the discs.
2. Firm on.  Use this middle stage to brush off all the unwanted speed.  It doesn't matter how firmly of softly you apply the brake pressure in this second phase as long as you get the vehicle down to the required speed to negotiate the hazard before you move into the third phase.  However, consideration should be given to the type of road surface, the prevailing weather conditions and where you plan to finish braking when judging how much pressure to apply in this second phase.
3. Feather off.  Once you have brushed off the excess speed ease your foot back from the brake pedal in a similar but opposite way to phase 1 so that at the point where you stop or change to a lower gear there is little or no ‘dipping' of the bonnet.

One way to get these phases incorporated within the System of Car Control before a turn (and before you reach for the gear lever) is to imagine you are going to stop 5m or so before your actual target.  (Also see HTBABD p26 - the small section under the fire engine photo).  By adopting the "...5 metres before target" principle you are giving yourself more time to select the appropriate gear following the braking stage.  (HTBABD p31)

If you find yourself using the brakes whilst negotiating bendy sections of road or you end up braking on a bend or you have to brake twice for the same hazard you are probably at the wrong speed and in the wrong gear!  If you find yourself still braking whilst you are also changing gear  (known as 'overlapping') then you have left the speed stage too late in the approach to the hazard and need to try again!  However, if brake/gear overlap is used it must be part of a planned approach that is the most appropriate for the circumstances, e.g. down a hill.

Braking, accelerating and steering all invoke strong dynamic forces within the vehicle so by applying this progressive use of brake pressure (F.F.F.) you smooth out the weight transferences thereby managing the dynamics more efficiently, you increase the overall stability of your vehicle and at the same time you will have improved your overall control.