Responding to Failed Brakes

When a driver’s brakes fail, he or she will usually panic. While this is a normal response, it is not the most favorable, as panic impedes on an individual’s ability to clearly think through the situation he or she is in. In many cases, individuals with failed brakes can avoid serious accidents if they can focus on stopping their cars.
Typically, an individual can tell that his or her brakes have failed when the brake pedal is no longer responsive. In some cases, this may mean that the brake pedal is jammed or obstructed. In others, it may be the sign of a larger problem.
After determining that his or her brakes are not functioning properly, an individual may have a couple of options for stopping his or her car:
A� First, individuals should warn other drivers of their brake failure by honking and turning on their hazard lights
A� Next, individuals should brush a foot under the brake pedal to determine whether something is lodged underneath the pedal, preventing it from depressing
A� If there is no obstruction, individuals should try pumping on the brake pedal to generate force to stop the vehicle
A� If pumping the pedal does not work, individuals should gently pull on the parking brake lever to gradually slow the car down
After stopping the car, individuals should have their automobiles towed to a repair shop to have their brakes fixed. They should never attempt to keep driving after experiencing brake failure. Unfortunately, not all cars can be stopped when the brakes fail. In many cases, the automobile’s manufacturer or a third-party brake repair shop may be to blame for brake failure.