If your brakes fail while you’re driving, you should NOT

Explanation

If your brakes fail, pump the brake pedal unless your vehicle has antilock brakes (ABS). Pumping might temporarily restore enough brake fluid pressure to slow or stop your vehicle. If your vehicle has ABS, just depress the brake pedal firmly and see if you start to slow down. Downshift into a lower gear. This will use the braking power of the engine to slow your vehicle. Apply the parking or emergency brake gradually, but be ready to release it if you start to skid. As a last resort, rub against something to slow you down. Try to sideswipe the guard rail, rub your wheels against a curb, or drive onto a grassy area. Never allow a head-on collision. Head-on collisions are often fatal.