What should you do if your brakes fail?

If your brakes fail while driving, the appropriate response is to shift to a lower gear, pump the brakes, and use the emergency brake if necessary. This method involves several critical steps aimed at regaining control of the vehicle and reducing speed safely.

Shifting to a lower gear helps slow the vehicle down using engine braking, which can be particularly effective when the brakes are not functioning. Pumping the brakes can sometimes build up enough pressure to engage the brakes partially, which may restore some braking ability. Finally, using the emergency brake (also known as the parking brake) provides an additional means to slow down the vehicle. This brake is separate from the main brake system and can be used to safely bring the car to a halt in emergencies.

The other responses do not effectively address the situation. Turning off the engine could lead to loss of steering and control, hitting the horn only alerts others but does not help in stopping the vehicle, and steering off the road without understanding the surroundings can lead to dangerous situations. Thus, the combined approach of adjusting gears, trying the brakes, and using the emergency brake is the most effective way to handle a brake failure.