What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

When experiencing brake failure while driving, shifting to a lower gear and pumping the brakes can be an effective way to reduce speed and regain control of the vehicle. Lowering the gear increases engine resistance, which can help slow the vehicle down, especially when coasting downhill or on flat surfaces. Pumping the brakes may also help to build up pressure in the brake system if there is a minor or intermittent failure with the brake lines.

This strategy allows the driver to utilize the vehicle's transmission to assist in controlling speed, rather than relying solely on brakes that may be ineffective. This method provides a safer approach for managing the situation compared to making a sudden stop, which could lead to loss of control or create a risk for other traffic. Shifting to a higher gear would not be beneficial in this scenario, as it would allow the vehicle to accelerate more, compounding the problem. Turning off the engine is not advisable, as doing so can lead to a total loss of power steering and power brakes, making the vehicle harder to maneuver and stop altogether.