Brake: Driving on the highways can be both a liberating and exciting experience for many.
Yet, at the same time, it can be risky too. One of the most terrifying events that a driver can immensely face is a brake failure.
It can happen in the blink of an eye, leading to life-threatening consequences.
When not handled with utmost care, brake failures can result in fatal accidents.
While it’s impossible to predict when these situations may arise, being prepared with the right knowledge can save lives.
According to Mechanicbase, the braking system is one of the most critical components of any car.
It enables you to slow down or stop the vehicle promptly. However, it’s not immune to wear and tear. In some cases, brake failure can be due to mechanical faults, lack of maintenance, or harsh weather conditions.
Regardless of the cause, it’s crucial to have the right knowledge and quick thinking to handle brake failure emergencies.
In this article, we’ll discuss the immediate actions to take if your car’s brakes fail while driving even at high speeds.
When you notice your car brakes failing, the first thing to do is to keep calm and avoid panicking.
Panicking can lead to irrational decisions that could worsen the situation.
Instead, you should focus on maintaining control of your vehicle. You should avoid pressing on the brake pedal repeatedly as it could result in complete brake loss.
Instead, try to pump the brakes several times to see if they will respond. If the brakes don’t work, you should take the following steps:
Step 1: Downshifting
Downshifting is the next step to take when your brakes fail while driving. If you’re driving a manual car, shift the gears to a lower one using the clutch pedal.
Downshifting allows you to slow down the car gradually. However, if you’re driving an automatic car, shift the gear to the lowest mode to slow down the car.
Step 2: Use the emergency brake
The emergency brakes, also known as parking brakes, can help stop the car when the primary brakes fail.
You should slowly and steadily pull up the emergency brake lever to engage the braking system. Once you apply the emergency brakes, the car will start to slow down gradually.
Step 3: Steer and remain alert
As the car slows down, you should steer the vehicle away from obstacles and drivers.
Be vigilant and scan your environment for potential hazards such as pedestrians and other vehicles. Try to pull off the road to a safe location as soon as possible.