What should you do if your brakes fail?

In the event of brake failure, it is important to take swift, controlled actions to safely stop the vehicle. Pumping the brake pedal can help restore enough brake pressure to stop the vehicle if the brakes have partially failed. This action, combined with downshifting to lower gears, allows the driver to utilize engine braking, which can help reduce the vehicle's speed.

By downshifting, the driver shifts to a lower gear, causing the engine to slow down the vehicle as the engine resistance increases. This technique can be particularly effective in managing speed while coming to a halt.

Using the emergency brake is typically a last resort because it can lead to skidding if applied suddenly or too aggressively. Turning off the ignition is not advisable while driving, as it can lock the steering wheel or disable other critical controls, leading to loss of vehicle control. Accelerating to gain speed is counterproductive and dangerous when experiencing brake failure, as it only increases the risk and severity of a potential accident.

Thus, the combination of pumping the brake and downshifting is the most effective and safest approach in this emergency situation.