For a flat ideal road, where everything is predictable, if a driver does not lock-up his wheels, the car has the same braking characteristics as a similar model without ABS.
If he slams on the pedal, activates the ABS, he might have a slightly longer braking distance, but i doubt it is MUCH longer.
How many of us dare to claim that we are so good to keep the tyre near the limit so consistently? Even in unfavourable conditions?
Lets throw in some variables to the equation.
Lets assume you are speeding down your fav road, doing maximum braking preparing yourself for the corner ahead. Suddenly, you see a makcik in the middle of the lane, directly ahead of you.
Most of the time, drivers will press harder and lock their wheels, and the makcik goes.
If not, you can try to steer, and the resultant weight-shift and direction change will reduce grip on the inner tyres, and you get a lockup inside. You can either choose to release the pedal, waiting for the tyres to regain traction to steer, or you can choose to start tapping of the brakes, hoping for the best.
Or you use your super driving skills and release brake pressure and steer, avoiding the auntie, and since the braking effort is decreased, you couldn't slowdown enough and hence, bond with the wall/divider.
Or, lady luck is on your side, superman comes and saves the auntie and you.
Who is willing to take this risk??
Now, everything can be better with abs. You get to steer away safely, and the auntie survives, all without the help of superman. You do not need to think what to do, just pray and turn the steering to your desired direction.
Now, imagine, one wheel gets into an oil puddle.
With you "human-ABS" you need to release pressure to let that wheel regain traction.
With ABS, just keep your food on the brake pedal and smile, like this>>>:D
Tell me, how high are your chances to correct your situation better and faster compared to a computer?
Therefore, IMHO, in a road car, ABS is one hell of a safety feature, and I wouldn't be surprised if they don't grant permission to sell cars without ABS in other countries soon.
The myth that people have more accidents might be due to the fact that they released the pedal when they felt the pulsing. A lot a people who are not aware of the system would normally react that way.
Older drivers would use back their "human-ABS" and confuse the system.
That's why we NEED to read the instruction manual!!!
Last but not least, if raikonen had abs, he might have won the last GP
