How to stop your car in case of brake failure: Know how to react in such a situation and ensure safety

Experiencing brake failure while driving can be a terrifying situation, but it’s important to stay calm and take immediate action to bring the vehicle to a stop safely. While, with technological advancements, it’s highly unlikely for modern vehicles to experience a total brake failure, it is still important for one to know what steps to take if you find yourself in such a situation.
Here are some tips and suggestions to help you stop a car in the event of brake failure.
Stay calm and alert
It becomes very important to remain calm and composed in the event of brake failure. Panicking can impact your ability to make rational decisions. Stay focused and calmly think of the goal – getting the vehicle to stop.
Pump the brakes
If the brakes aren’t responding as you press the pedal, try and pump the pedal quickly. By doing this, there’s a possibility that it might build up hydraulic pressure to engage the brake partially, thereby, helping you slow down.

Usage of hand-brake
Mind you, this is a risky affair. If you’re at high speeds, avoid pulling the hand-brake completely, instead pull it halfway up. If the vehicle is at a considerably slow speed, it’s fine to use the hand brakes but in case of a speed in the north of 50 kmph, pull it up slightly and follow the next step.
Downshift
If you’re driving a car with manual transmission, downshift can help you slow down the vehicle. Without skipping, downshift the gears. This will help you decelerate the car with the help of engine braking caused due to change in gears, thereby allowing you to come down to a speed where you can apply the hand brakes completely.
Remember, these tips should only be used as a last resort if traditional braking methods fail. Regular vehicle maintenance, including brake checks, is vital to prevent brake failures.