I'd say that comment has a good degree of wisdom to it. That is; take note of your environment, be aware, make allowances, check what people & traffic are doing. Yes, all of the things you should be doing anyway (fixed or not) but more so!

It's kind of the reverse of 'the best defence is a good offence'; the most efficient braking is trying to make sure you don't have to! Other than that, practice hard braking on the front brake and learn its limits.