What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

When faced with brake failure while driving, shifting to a lower gear and pumping the brakes is a crucial step to help regain some control of the vehicle. Shifting to a lower gear allows the engine to help slow down the car through engine braking, which can reduce speed without relying solely on the brake system. Pumping the brakes can sometimes build up brake pressure in case there is still some functionality left in the braking system. This approach can be helpful in attempting to safely bring the vehicle to a stop or at least reduce its speed in a controlled manner.

In contrast, accelerating to gain speed can lead to a more dangerous situation as it would make it harder to control the vehicle. Pulling over and stopping immediately might not be feasible or safe if there are vehicles or obstacles in your way. Lastly, using the horn to alert other drivers does not address the immediate need to control the vehicle and could create additional hazards on the road. Therefore, the approach of shifting to a lower gear and pumping the brakes is a method aimed at finding the best possible outcome in a challenging situation.