If your brakes fail, what is the first action you should take?

When faced with brake failure, the most immediate and effective first action to take is to pump your brakes. This technique can sometimes build up brake fluid pressure, potentially allowing you to regain partial braking ability. By quickly pumping the brake pedal, you may create enough friction in the braking system to slow down the vehicle somewhat.

This action is particularly important because it gives you the best chance to reduce speed without resorting to more drastic measures that could pose additional risks. If pumping the brakes does not yield any results, then you can consider other options, such as shifting to a lower gear to help slow the vehicle through engine braking or attempting to use the parking brake to bring the car to a stop safely.

The focus is on maintaining control of the vehicle and trying to slow down before moving on to secondary measures.