What should you do if your brakes fail?

When faced with brake failure, it's crucial to act quickly and effectively to bring your vehicle to a stop. Pumping the brakes rapidly can help restore some brake pressure in cases where partial braking is still possible. This method may work if there is still some fluid in the brake lines or if the issue is not complete brake failure.

Shifting into a lower gear assists in slowing the vehicle down through engine braking, which can provide additional deceleration. By combining these two actions, you can manage your speed and control the vehicle more effectively, helping to avoid a collision.

It's important to maintain calm and follow these steps to maximize your chances of stopping safely. The other suggested actions may not be as effective or may even worsen the situation; for example, shifting into reverse can lead to loss of control, while coasting may not offer enough braking power, and using the emergency brake right away could lead to loss of traction.