What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

When faced with brake failure while driving, downshifting to a lower gear and steering safely is a critical and effective response. This technique allows the vehicle to slow down through engine braking, which uses the engine's resistance to help decelerate the vehicle. By shifting to a lower gear, you can maintain better control of your vehicle and manage your speed without relying on the brakes. It’s crucial to remain calm and steer smoothly, as panicking can lead to erratic driving and increase the risk of an accident.

While some might consider continuing to drive until reaching a destination or stopping hard, these options can lead to further dangers. Continuing to drive could exacerbate the situation and lead to a collision, while braking hard might cause a loss of control. Pulling over immediately is an option, but it's not always feasible depending on the driving conditions and traffic situation. Therefore, downshifting combined with vigilant steering offers a balanced approach to handling brake failure safely.