Washington State Department of Licensing Knowledge Test

What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

1. Steer sharply to the right

2. Shift to a lower gear and use the emergency brake

3. Accelerate to maintain control

4. Pull over and stop immediately

The correct answer is: Shift to a lower gear and use the emergency brake

When you experience brake failure while driving, it is crucial to take immediate actions that can help you reduce your speed and safely bring the vehicle to a stop. Shifting to a lower gear reduces the speed of the vehicle by leveraging engine braking, which utilizes the engine’s resistance to slow the car down. Using the emergency brake, also known as the parking brake, provides an additional means of slowing down. The emergency brake operates independently from the hydraulic brake system, making it a vital tool in this situation. Steering sharply to the right could potentially lead to loss of control, risking a collision with objects or other vehicles. Accelerating to maintain control is counterproductive and can exacerbate the situation by increasing your speed when stopping is necessary. Pulling over and stopping immediately is ideal in many driving scenarios, but sudden stops without functional brakes can lead to serious accidents, especially if traffic conditions do not allow for a quick and safe pull over. Thus, the safest and most effective response to brake failure is to shift to a lower gear and employ the emergency brake.