What should you do if your brakes fail?

When brakes fail, the most effective course of action is to shift to a lower gear, pump the brakes, and, if necessary, use the emergency brake. Shifting to a lower gear helps to slow down the vehicle by utilizing engine braking, which is crucial in regaining control and reducing speed. Pumping the brakes may restore some brake pressure, allowing for a limited capacity to slow the car down. Additionally, the emergency brake provides an alternative means of deceleration, although it must be used cautiously to avoid locking up the wheels.

The approach of using the horn to alert other drivers is not practical in a failing-brake scenario, as it does not contribute to controlling the vehicle. Turning off the vehicle outright could result in a complete loss of steering and braking control, making the situation even more hazardous. Driving straight ahead until speed decreases might lead to a loss of control or a collision, as this option does not actively engage any measures to stop or slow the vehicle effectively.