Getting caught out with brake failure still in motion on the road will certainly rank as one of the most frightening circumstances a driver ever faces. Your immediate reaction and how you react to the situation can well determine whether you avoid an accident or crash into a tree. Modern vehicles do carry advanced safety features, but with irresponsible owners who brakes fail to keep them in good shape.
Furthermore, brake failure can be pretty sudden and unexpected because of wear, lack of proper maintenance, or even mechanical problems. Knowing what to do in such a situation will make all the difference. Be it a busy road or a quiet street, the thing about such a situation is acting fast and not panicking. Proper vehicle maintenance, including timely brake repair, can prevent situations like this, but being prepared for the worst is always more important.
Don’t Panic and Take Note:
The first thing you should do when your brakes fail is remain calm. Rushing tends to cloud judgment so that you end up making some decisions that have more detrimental effects than there are in the situation.
Keep holding the steering wheel and try to control the vehicle, but then briefly observe your surroundings for potential hazards like other vehicles, pedestrians, or other road obstructions. Try to remain conscious of the speed and distances of the other approaching vehicles. Keep a clear head for better judgment and control of the automobile. Remember, the calmer you can stay the more focused you will become which will make all the difference between hitting something or not.
Engage Your Emergency Brake:
Now that you have had a second to collect yourself and look at the situation, try to activate your emergency brake also known as your hand brake. The emergency brake is supposed to work differently than the other brake systems of your vehicle. This makes it so important for you to use in this kind of situation. Start to creep on the emergency brake.
Pull it slowly so you don’t lock up the wheels, which might make the car skid. The emergency brake may not stop the vehicle immediately, but it will most certainly bring it to a standstill to a certain extent and will give one more time to decide what to do next.
Shift to a Lower Gear:
Another way to slow down a car whose brake has failed is to shift into a lower gear. In self-shift autos, you have to downshift into a lower gear by using the gear shifter. Automatic cars also downshift, but with great caution to slow down your speed. Shifting down means using the engine to slow you down without using the brakes-it’s called “engine braking.”
It is most useful while going downhill on steep declines or following long stretches of road on which your car could pick up too much speed without its owner’s control. While downshifting will not brake the car, it will bring your car to a slow speed and then will take some pressure off of your failed brake system. In an emergency, downshift smoothly so that the wheels do not lock and so that you do not lose control of the car.
Exit Safely:
Now, as your car slows down, be on the lookout for a safe exit point. Try to steer to the shoulder or an open lane of traffic where you can stop. If you are on a freeway, go for the shoulder or a stopping lane used in an emergency. Where highways aren’t present, force your vehicle to steer toward a soft surface such as gravel, grass, or dirt which will tend to slow the vehicle down much faster than asphalt.
Avoid jerky turns or swerving as that can throw the car off balance and cause skidding, rolling over, etc. Try to look ahead to find a reasonable stopping area by determining the emptiest location with fewer obstacles or traffic flow. Gradually slowing down enables you to find a suitable safe exit without causing damage to yourself or anyone else because you can stop the car without resulting in any damage to oneself or anyone else.
Conclusion:
Brake failure is a harrowing experience calling for impromptu actions and composed judgment. If you follow these steps-staying calm, using the emergency brake, downshifting, and alerting others you can safely navigate your way out of the situation without falling victim to certain harm.
To prepare you for such events and mentally preview situations you will be in control to react swiftly during an emergency. Routine check-ups can help diminish your chances of braking failure, and therefore your vehicle will be safe to use. But it is also essential to know how to react in such events so as not to experience a hazardous accident instead of a harmless outcome and stay in control when it matters.