What should be done when a large passenger or cargo vehicle experiences brake failure and loses control?

[Kimberly]

The correct actions to take when a large passenger or cargo vehicle experiences brake failure and loses control are: utilize obstacles to scrape and stop the vehicle, and firmly grip the steering wheel. Immediately activate the vehicle's hazard warning lights and sound the horn to alert vehicles ahead to yield, while promptly seeking an appropriate road section to decelerate, such as an uphill slope or the emergency escape lanes set up on highways or continuous downhill sections. Emergency escape lanes are located on the right side of the main lane and are commonly installed on continuous downhill sections of highways or expressway descents. Relevant information is introduced as follows: when the brake pedal is depressed, it does not feel soft or sink, but the braking effect is poor. This phenomenon indicates a wheel brake malfunction, such as brake shoes being oily or improperly contacting, friction pads aging or wearing out, or brake drums wearing unevenly. The braking system's technical condition should be inspected and adjusted or repaired if necessary.

[StLila]

I've been driving heavy trucks for long-distance hauls for ten years and experienced two brake failures. The first reaction is definitely not to yank the steering wheel! Immediately turn on the hazard lights to warn vehicles behind you, and with your right hand, quickly downshift to a lower gear (for example, from 12th gear directly to 8th gear). Remember to pull the orange exhaust brake button—the engine will roar and help slow you down. Meanwhile, keep scanning the road for an uphill slope or an emergency escape ramp (many downhill sections of highways have gravel buffer zones). If you can't find one, the last resort is to let the truck scrape parallel against the guardrail or a mountain wall to slow down. Hold the steering wheel as steady as if you're carrying tofu—scraping too hard can easily cause a rollover. Oh, and never turn off the ignition key, or the steering wheel will lock, and you're truly done for. Before descending a long slope, make it a habit to test the brakes by pressing them twice—this trick has saved me three times.

[StChristopher]

Last time I heard the safety training instructor say that when a large vehicle has brake failure, it's crucial to grasp three key points: 'stabilize the direction, downshift to reduce speed, and seek a buffer.' Hold the steering wheel firmly with both hands to maintain the lane, while simultaneously pressing the clutch with your left foot and quickly shifting into a lower gear with your right hand to slow down the vehicle using the engine's resistance. Many vehicles now also have an electric eddy current retarder—remember to press the button on the dashboard marked with an S-curve. Look out for blue emergency escape ramp signs on the roadside and drive into them to let the wheels sink into the gravel pile for deceleration. If there are vehicles ahead, honk intermittently and flash your high beams to warn them, but avoid frequent lane changes. Check the brake pad thickness and the brake drum temperature alarm every month. Driving large vehicles safely lies in these details.

[McKate]

When I first got my license, I was driving a container truck and encountered a situation where I couldn't stop, which scared me so much my back was completely drenched in sweat. An experienced driver taught me the 'step-down shifting method': for example, in a 16-gear truck, first shift to 14th gear, wait for the speed to drop a bit, then shift to 12th gear, avoiding directly shifting to a low gear which could cause the drive wheels to lock up and lose control. While turning on the hazard lights with my left hand, I tried repeatedly pulling the trailer brake valve handle with my right hand (some trucks can temporarily generate braking force). It's especially important not to let the speed exceed the engine's maximum RPM, otherwise it could lead to engine seizure. Prioritize choosing uphill sections, and try to stay in the far-right lane on downhill roads. Now, before setting off, I've developed the habit of pouring mineral water on the tires to test the brake pad temperature—if it sizzles, it means they're overheated and I must take a break.

[McKing]

The fleet dispatch taught us to remember the mantra 'Light, Reduce, Turn, Rub, Escape'. Light means turning on all warning lights; Reduce means quickly downshifting + using exhaust brake; Turn means steering into an escape ramp or uphill slope; Rub refers to lightly turning the steering wheel to make the vehicle body parallel to the guardrail for friction deceleration (maintaining an angle of less than 20 degrees); Escape means jumping out of the cab when the speed drops below 40. Note that the truck's brake air pump requires 7 kg of pressure to be effective, and be alert when the gauge needle falls below 5. Regularly clean the brake dust in the wheel hubs, and test the braking effect by performing an emergency stop in an open area before driving in the rainy season.

[Foster]

Once when carrying cargo on a mountain road, the brakes suddenly became soft after getting wet in the rain. Immediately switched the cruise control to exhaust brake mode (button located at the lower left of the steering wheel). Right foot pre-pressed the accelerator, left hand quickly downshifted to prevent high-gear idling. Remember to monitor the dashboard air pressure gauge – if the pressure doesn't restore after three consecutive brake applications, prepare for emergency measures. Use the intercom to call for rear vehicles to clear the way, have all passengers cover their heads and lean against the front seat backs. When collision is unavoidable, aim for soft objects like snowbanks or bushes. Experienced drivers know installing spray pipes on brake drums is most practical – opening the valve to cool before long descents can save lives.