What are the correct steps to take during an emergency stop?

The correct steps to take during an emergency stop involve signaling your intentions, checking mirrors, and applying the brakes firmly. This process is essential for ensuring the safety of not just the driver but also other road users. By signaling your intentions, you communicate to other drivers that you are about to make a sudden stop, which helps to prevent rear-end collisions and allows them to prepare for your actions. Checking mirrors is crucial to understand the surrounding traffic conditions, ensuring it is safe to stop without jeopardizing the safety of others. Firmly applying the brakes is necessary to reduce speed efficiently and bring the vehicle to a halt as quickly as possible while maintaining control.

In contrast, turning off the engine and waiting is not an appropriate response in an emergency situation; it can leave the vehicle vulnerable and may not address the necessity of stopping promptly. Similarly, accelerating to stop quickly is counterproductive and dangerous, as speeding up would increase the risk of a collision. Flashing headlights and honking the horn may alert others but does not directly facilitate an effective or safe stop. Therefore, the first choice embodies a responsible and methodical approach to managing an emergency stop.