What should you do if your brakes fail?

When experiencing brake failure, it is essential to stay calm and take effective action to regain control of the vehicle while ensuring your safety and that of others on the road. Pumping the brake pedal can help build up some brake pressure if the failure is not complete, providing you with a chance to slow down. Additionally, using the parking brake gradually can help reduce speed; it’s crucial to engage it carefully to avoid locking the rear wheels, which could lead to loss of control. Steering towards a safe area allows you to navigate away from traffic and obstacles, minimizing the risk of a collision.

The other options do not provide the most effective or safe responses to brake failure. Panic and pressing the accelerator would exacerbate the situation, leading to potential accidents. Relying solely on the emergency brake does not consider the need to slow the vehicle effectively and can lead to skidding. Turning off the ignition immediately could lock the steering wheel and cause you to lose control, making it a risky choice in such a critical moment.