What should brakes be lightly tapped for?

Tapping the brakes lightly serves primarily as a signal to warn other drivers that you are planning to slow down or stop. This action helps to communicate your intentions to others on the road, which is vital for safety. By using your brake lights as an early indicator, you can help reduce the risk of rear-end collisions and make your movements more predictable for other road users.

While testing air pressure in the brakes is an important procedure, it typically involves more detailed checks rather than just tapping the brakes. Similarly, signaling to students boarding the bus is usually communicated through other methods, such as using the bus's flashing lights or stopping the bus completely. Therefore, the primary purpose of lightly tapping the brakes is to ensure that other drivers are aware of your upcoming actions on the road.