What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

In the event of brake failure while driving, pumping the brake pedal can help restore pressure and potentially allow for some braking action, especially in older vehicles with traditional hydraulic brakes. This method may enable you to slow down a bit before using the emergency brake, which acts as a backup system designed to bring the vehicle to a halt when the regular brakes fail. The emergency brake engages a different mechanism, usually acting on the rear wheels, which can provide enough stopping power in an emergency.

Choosing to steer into oncoming traffic could lead to catastrophic accidents and puts both the driver and others on the road at risk. Continuing to drive at high speeds without brakes is extremely dangerous, as it reduces control and increases the likelihood of a severe crash. Turning off the engine can disable power steering and control, making it harder to maneuver and stop the vehicle safely. Instead, using the emergency brake after attempting to pump the regular brakes is the appropriate and safest response to brake failure.