How to Slow Down When Brakes Suddenly Fail While Driving?
2 Answers
When brakes suddenly fail while driving, the driver can use the following methods to slow down: 1. Engine braking or parking brake to decelerate. First, control the direction to maintain straight-line driving, then turn on the hazard warning flashers, slow down, and pull over to stop. 2. If there are no brakes, the first thing to do is downshift. This can be accomplished in three steps: (1) Downshift to 2nd or 3rd gear; (2) Gradually pull up the handbrake, but do not pull it all the way—locking the rear wheels will cause the car to skid, leading to a more severe accident. (3) Steer firmly and seize every opportunity to slow down. After successfully downshifting, do not depress the clutch.
After driving for so many years, I've experienced brake failure a few times, and the feeling was truly heart-stopping. Once on the highway, right after passing the toll booth, I noticed the brake pedal felt spongy and completely unresponsive. My first reaction was to stay calm and avoid jerking the steering wheel to prevent a rollover. I quickly pressed the pedal several times with force, confirmed it was completely broken, and immediately downshifted to slow down. My car is a manual transmission, so I pressed the clutch and shifted down to second gear—the engine roared as the speed gradually decreased. If it were an automatic, I would have switched to manual mode or a lower gear. Then, I gently pulled up the handbrake, being careful not to yank it all at once to avoid locking the tires and losing control. Meanwhile, I scanned my surroundings for a safe spot to pull over and chose the emergency lane on the right, coasting slowly to a stop. Once parked, I turned on the hazard lights and got out to inspect the car, only to find the brake fluid had completely leaked out. The repair cost me over a thousand yuan afterward, but safety comes first. The lesson? Regularly check your braking system—don't skimp on maintenance costs.
