What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

If your brakes fail while driving, using the emergency brake cautiously and downshifting to a lower gear is the most appropriate response. Engaging the emergency brake allows you to slow down the vehicle effectively, as it applies braking power to the rear wheels. It's important to be cautious when doing so, as pulling the emergency brake too abruptly can cause the wheels to lock up and lead to loss of control.

Downshifting to a lower gear helps to utilize engine braking, which contributes to reducing your speed gradually and safely. This combination of actions allows you to maintain control of the vehicle while reducing your speed without relying solely on the braking system that has failed.

Turning off the engine can lead to loss of steering control and may prevent you from operating the vehicle effectively. Accelerating to slow down is counterintuitive and dangerous, as it increases speed rather than decreasing it. Pulling over and stopping immediately could be hazardous depending on your surroundings and the flow of traffic, as it may not provide a safe way to halt the vehicle. Thus, the recommended actions serve to maintain control and safely bring the vehicle to a stop.