What should a driver do if their brakes fail while driving?

When brakes fail while driving, the appropriate action is to shift to a lower gear and steer to safety. This approach allows the driver to utilize the engine's braking power, which can help reduce the vehicle's speed and regain some level of control over the vehicle's movement. By selecting a lower gear, the engine can slow the vehicle down through resistance, providing an essential stop-gap measure until the driver can find a safe way to bring the vehicle to a halt.

Additionally, steering to safety is crucial. This means finding a safe path, whether it's aimed towards a clear shoulder or an area with minimal obstacles. The combined actions of shifting gears and steering can greatly increase the likelihood of avoiding danger during this critical time.

This method stands out against other options because rapidly accelerating or coasting without taking action can lead to perilous situations on the road. Immediate use of the emergency brake is not always advisable unless absolutely necessary because it can lock the wheels, causing the vehicle to skid or spin out of control. Prioritizing controlled deceleration and steering to safety is a sound strategy in emergency brake failure scenarios.