What is the first thing you should do when your brakes fail?

When you experience brake failure while driving, the first thing to try is pumping the brake pedal to build pressure. This action may help restore enough hydraulic pressure to the brake system, allowing the brakes to engage temporarily. This step is crucial because it could potentially stop the vehicle or at least slow it down, giving you more control over the situation.

In situations of brake failure, it’s vital to remain calm and attempt to regain control of the vehicle. If pumping the brakes does not work, other actions such as steering towards an emergency lane or using the horn to alert other drivers might become necessary. However, those actions are typically taken after the initial attempt to restore brake function has failed.