What is the first thing you should do if your brakes fail while driving?

Pumping the brakes to build pressure is an appropriate initial response if your brakes fail while driving. This action can sometimes restore enough braking power to help you slow down or stop the vehicle. By rapidly pushing the brake pedal in and out, you might create pressure that allows the brakes to engage temporarily. This technique can be especially helpful if the brake failure is due to a loss of hydraulic pressure rather than a complete brake failure.

It’s important to remain calm and composed in this situation. While pumping the brakes may successfully reduce speed, other actions should be considered as well, such as steering to a safe area or using the emergency brake as a subsequent measure, especially if the pumping does not yield the desired effect. Knowing the order of operations in emergency scenarios can be critical to maintaining control and ensuring safety on the road.