What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

If your brakes fail while driving, the most appropriate action is to shift to a lower gear and safely steer to the side of the road. This technique is essential for a few reasons. First, downshifting helps to utilize the engine's braking capacity, which can slow down the vehicle even when the main braking system is not functioning. By reducing your speed through gear reduction, you significantly decrease the risk of a collision or runaway situation.

Additionally, steering to the side of the road is crucial because it allows you to maneuver away from potential hazards such as oncoming traffic or obstacles. Finding a safe location to pull over is key to maintaining control of the vehicle and ensuring your safety as well as the safety of others on the road.

The other options do not provide effective solutions in the event of brake failure. Continuing to drive without brakes could lead to dangerous situations, applying more pressure to the brakes only exacerbates the issue, and turning off the ignition could cause a loss of control over steering, making it even harder to stop the vehicle.