What should you do if your brakes fail?

The most effective action to take when your brakes fail is to shift to a lower gear, pump the brakes, and use the emergency brake if necessary. Shifting to a lower gear helps to slow down the vehicle through engine braking. Pumping the brakes may build up pressure if the issue is temporary or partial brake failure. The emergency brake serves as a last resort, providing additional stopping power, especially in critical situations.

This approach prioritizes maintaining control of the vehicle and safely reducing speed, rather than taking more drastic and potentially dangerous actions. Options like turning off the engine can hinder steering control and may pose additional risks. Hitting the gas pedal would only increase speed, worsening the situation. Resorting to the shoulder could lead to unsafe conditions, depending on the roadway and surrounding traffic. Thus, the outlined strategies in the correct choice are designed to safely manage a loss of braking capability.