What should you do if you experience brake failure while driving?

If you experience brake failure while driving, it's crucial to take immediate and effective action to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the road. The recommended response involves pumping the brakes to potentially restore hydraulic pressure, downshifting to reduce speed and using engine braking, and steering to a safe area if possible.

Pumping the brakes can help in situations where brake failure is due to a temporary loss of pressure in the brake system. This action might restore enough braking power to allow the driver to slow down or stop. Downshifting is a technique that helps to use the engine to decelerate the vehicle, which is particularly important when traditional braking methods are compromised. Additionally, steering to a safe area allows you to avoid obstacles and helps to mitigate the risk of collisions, making it a key part of managing the situation safely.

The importance of maintaining control of the vehicle and effectively reducing speed cannot be overstated, making this approach the most sensible and comprehensive response when faced with brake failure.