What should you do if your brakes fail?

When confronted with brake failure, the most effective response involves pumping the brakes to try to restore pressure, followed by employing the emergency brake if needed. Pumping the brakes can sometimes build up enough hydraulic pressure to allow you to regain partial braking power. If this action doesn’t yield results, using the emergency brake becomes crucial. The emergency brake operates independently from the regular brakes and can help slow down or stop the vehicle.

Coasting to a stop with the vehicle in neutral, while a possible action, is not the most effective response to complete brake failure, as it doesn't address the need to actively slow down. Turning off the ignition can lead to a loss of steering control and additional hazards, and calling for emergency assistance, while always a safety measure, doesn't address the immediate need to bring the vehicle to a stop swiftly and safely.

Thus, the correct approach involves a combination of immediate actions—pumping the brakes followed by the use of the emergency brake—focused on regaining control over the vehicle.