Learning to drive is a rite of passage for many adults, but while we get taught the basics of how to operate a car, there are plenty of scenarios for which we are left wildly unprepared when we leave driving school. There is continued education for those who wish to do it better, but it is usually expensive and hard to access, as not many people want to go through with it, but it could save your life, especially if a crucial part of your car fails on you at a very inconvenient time, like your brakes. While most of us would automatically try to pull on the handbrake, that is not actually the best idea, and it could be very unsafe.
First things first, the best way to avoid an accident or a malfunction in your vehicle is to take it in for regular maintenance. This is not exciting and can even get very expensive, but it is better than to lose your life because you were careless or your vehicle just gave up on you. The second way to avoid an accident is to be extremely vigilant on the road and pay attention to other drivers, the conditions of the road and even how your car drives, as any changes could mean that something is wrong.
However, nothing in this life is planned, and accidents are usually a spur of the moment thing that cannot be avoided, so, what should you do if your brakes fail without notice?
How to stop your car if your brakes fail
Depending on what situation you are in, this may not be a disastrous situation, just a very inconvenient one, so the best thing to do is to remain calm. Since you are attempting to brake, it stands to reason that your foot is not on the accelerator, but just in case, remember to not press it again. While the car technically has another brake system, the hand brake, that is not a safe option in most situations and for most people.
The handbrake combined with the speed of the vehicle can make the car spin, which, unless you are a trained stunt driver, is an even bigger risk to your safety than just letting the car stop on its own. Unless you know what you are doing and have been trained specifically on how to handle braking with the handbrake, do not touch it.
Another tempting idea can be to turn the car off, but first, the car still has forward momentum, and modern cars lock the steering as soon as they are turned off, which would leave you unable to react and turn should other problems arise on the road while you are trying to stop. And even if the steering is not locked, we are so used to assisted steering that when it is off we would not be able to move the car anyway, so do not think you could do this because you have an older car.
What you should do is, first, activate the warning lights or hazard lights to let other road users know there is a problem. Then, with both hands on the steering wheel keep the car steady and try to find a more isolated area that will help you avoid crashing into other vehicles and then once the car is steady, use the handbrake, but with a certain technique. If it is a manual, apply it quickly three times and then gently pull it one last time and if it is electric, hold it down for five seconds. If the road allows, continue straight ahead while your speed decreases and try to find an exit to leave the road, or move to the shoulder or an emergency braking zone.