What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

When faced with brake failure while driving, it's crucial to take specific actions to regain control of the vehicle and ensure your safety, as well as the safety of others on the road. The correct response involves pumping the brake pedal and shifting to a lower gear, while also steering to a safe area.

Pumping the brake pedal can help build up hydraulic pressure if there is a small amount still available, which may allow you to regain some braking ability. Shifting to a lower gear utilizes engine braking, which can help reduce speed even if the brakes are not functioning optimally. Steering to a safe area is essential to prevent collisions and to avoid hazards on the road.

In contrast, yelling for help and stopping immediately is not practical and does not address the immediate danger of losing control of the vehicle. Letting the car coast to a stop may leave you vulnerable to the risk of collision as you may not have control over your speed or direction. Quickly switching to the emergency brake is a possible consideration, but it should generally be done cautiously as applying it suddenly could cause the vehicle to skid or flip, especially at high speeds.