How about a safety device for tires....

[Audi Junkie]

Under panic braking it sprays high-grip compound onto the tires from inside the wheel well? Maybe something chunky for winter???

 

[eljefino]

Back in the day school buses had sand dispensers immediately before the rear wheels, that the driver could activate. Good for winter issues.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Hmm. For traction to move, rather than braking, I suppose.

 

[oilyriser]

the streetcars in Toronto have this type of system, using sand. I favour retro rockets.

 

[Black Bart]

You are a little late this was popular on semis back in the 40's they were electric sanders.
With the lug tire and much better maintained roads they disappeared.
Sanders were also used on steam powered locomotives

 

[H2GURU]

The above mentioned devices have been replaced with a hinged orbitting wheel with about 6- 18" chains that hangs up at a right angle to the rear drive axle on school busses and house to house heating oil trucks. The are deployed at operator's discretion and sort of lay the chains in front of the wheels as the hub rotates. These devices, however, were never meant to assist a PANIC stop and were designed to assist FORWARD movement from standidng still on ice covered hills. For panic stops the best advice is to be in control of your vehicle at ALL times and thus you'll never panic.

 

[oilyriser]

That's genius! It also sounds like a medieval torture device.