What do you do if your brakes fail while driving?

If your brakes fail while driving, shifting into a lower gear and using the emergency brake is the appropriate and safest action to take. When you shift into a lower gear, the engine helps slow down the vehicle by resisting motion, which can assist in reducing your speed. This action can provide some control over the vehicle, allowing you to decrease speed gradually.

Using the emergency brake can also help to slow down the car, but it is important to apply it gradually to avoid skidding or losing control. The emergency brake is designed to be engaged in situations where the main brakes are not functioning properly, making it a critical tool in brake failure scenarios.

The other options may not effectively help in controlling the vehicle during brake failure. Turning off the engine immediately can lead to a loss of power steering and power brakes, making it more difficult to navigate the vehicle and increasing the risk of an accident. Steering into a ditch might seem like an attempt to avoid obstacles, but it can cause additional harm, and there’s no guarantee it would ensure safety. Calling for roadside assistance is typically done after a driver has managed the immediate danger; it does not address the immediate need for control over the vehicle when brakes have failed.