What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

If your brakes fail while driving, the appropriate response is to pump the brake pedal and use the emergency brake. Pumping the brake pedal can sometimes build up enough brake fluid pressure to help slow down the vehicle, allowing you to regain some control. This technique may bring the brakes back temporarily, providing a chance to slow down more effectively.

Using the emergency brake is crucial because it serves as a backup system for stopping the vehicle. This brake typically operates independently of the main braking system and can help bring the car to a stop when regular brakes are not functioning.

Other actions, such as turning off the ignition, can lead to loss of steering control and create a dangerous situation. Steering into a ditch might seem like a potential way to slow down, but it can also result in a crash and may not reduce speed effectively. Accelerating to gain control is counterintuitive, as speed will only increase the difficulty in controlling the vehicle and heighten the risk of an accident. Thus, applying the emergency brake and trying to pump the brakes is the safest and most effective response in this critical situation.