How to Handle Brake Failure
3 Answers
Encountering brake failure can be addressed with the following steps: 1. Focus your attention on the road conditions ahead, being mindful of vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles in front of you. 2. Pump the brake pedal repeatedly to help restore pressure in the braking system, which may allow your brakes to function normally again. 3. Shift the car into a lower gear first, and once the speed has decreased slightly, shift into an even lower gear. 4. Use the parking brake to slow down, though this deceleration will be much slower than under normal circumstances. 5. Utilize available environmental obstacles to bring the car to a stop.
I've been driving for thirty years, and brake failure is indeed a frightening situation, but the key is to stay calm and avoid panicking. First, take a deep breath and confirm that the brakes are truly unresponsive—don't rush to stomp on them or jerk the steering wheel. Then, try using the handbrake, but apply gradual force to slowly reduce speed and avoid sudden locking, which could cause loss of control. For manual transmissions, quickly downshift to a lower gear like second or first to use engine braking for a more stable slowdown. Automatic transmissions can also be shifted into low-speed mode to assist with control. Simultaneously, turn on the hazard lights to alert vehicles behind you and gradually pull over or find an open area to stop. Once stopped, turn off the engine, engage the handbrake firmly, and exit the vehicle to a safe location, such as the roadside barrier, to await assistance. For prevention, I recommend regularly checking brake fluid and lines to minimize this risk. I once encountered this situation on a rainy highway and safely pulled over using this method.
As a young driver just starting out, I'm most worried about brake failure. I remember what my driving instructor taught me during my first lesson: stay calm and don't panic. If the brakes don't work, first take a deep breath, then quickly pump the brake pedal a few times to confirm the malfunction. Once confirmed, immediately start slowing down—gradually pull up the handbrake without being too hasty. For automatic transmission vehicles, shift to L gear or manual mode to downshift, allowing the speed to gradually decrease. While performing these operations, turn on the hazard lights to alert others, and gently steer the wheel to move to a safe spot by the roadside. After stopping, ensure the car is safely parked without obstructing traffic, turn off the engine, and get out to call for help. Beginners tend to get nervous, but with practice, the steps will become smoother—always remember safety comes first.
