What should you do if your brakes fail?

What should you do if your brakes fail?

• A. Downshift and find an escape route
• B. Call 911 to have law enforcement clear the highway ahead
• C. Honk your horn and flash your lights at all oncoming traffic
• D. Crank the wheel 180 degrees and engage the emergency brakes

Answer: (A)

When brakes fail, the priority is to slow the vehicle safely using engine braking and steer toward a safe escape area. Downshifting to a lower gear lets the engine provide deceleration without relying on the hydraulic brakes, helping you reduce speed while you steer toward the shoulder or a turnout. Keep the steering steady and look for a clear, off-highway space to stop; once you’re out of traffic and at a manageable speed, you can bring the vehicle to a controlled stop. Calling emergency services won’t fix the braking system in the moment, and honking or flashing lights alone won’t reliably reduce speed or protect you from other drivers. Engaging the emergency/parking brake while the vehicle is moving can cause wheel lock or loss of control, so this is not the action to rely on during a brake failure. After you’ve stopped safely, use hazards to warn others and address the situation from there.

When brakes fail, the priority is to slow the vehicle safely using engine braking and steer toward a safe escape area. Downshifting to a lower gear lets the engine provide deceleration without relying on the hydraulic brakes, helping you reduce speed while you steer toward the shoulder or a turnout. Keep the steering steady and look for a clear, off-highway space to stop; once you’re out of traffic and at a manageable speed, you can bring the vehicle to a controlled stop.

Calling emergency services won’t fix the braking system in the moment, and honking or flashing lights alone won’t reliably reduce speed or protect you from other drivers. Engaging the emergency/parking brake while the vehicle is moving can cause wheel lock or loss of control, so this is not the action to rely on during a brake failure. After you’ve stopped safely, use hazards to warn others and address the situation from there.