Having your brakes fail while you’re driving is a really scary thing. And if this hasn’t happened to you before, you’ll probably panic if it does. That’s why we’re here to help you learn what to do in this scenario and be prepared for whatever comes – this time, specifically, your brakes failing. Remember that no matter what you should stay calm and take deep breaths so that you can think clearly and not panic. It’s easy to fall into panic and anxiety when things like this happen, but just breathe.

If you notice that your brakes are failing while you are driving, take a deep breath and try them again. Don’t stomp on the pedal, just test it out. It’s very likely that your car has a dual braking system that controls both the front and rear independently, so you could have an Option B at your disposal. You might still be able to stop, even if you don’t have as much stopping power as before, so apply strong and consistent pressure to the brakes to see if you can slow your car down at all.

If this doesn’t work, try using the emergency brake by applying it very slowly. It’ll take longer to do this, but it might work. Otherwise, just take your foot off the gas. If you’re driving stick, downshift the car until it’s slowed down. Automatic transmission cars just require you taking your foot off the gas.

As you slow down, get out of the way of traffic. Work your way to the side of the road, but don’t put on your hazards yet. If you are not in the far right lane, you’ll need your turn signals to let other vehicles know where you’re going. Even though you are having an emergency, you still need to keep in mind other drivers and obey the rules of the road.

Once you’re fully stopped on the side of the road, turn your hazards on, set out any other emergency signaling items (like reflective triangles or flares, especially at night) and call for help. You should have your vehicle taken to a shop or to your dealer for them to inspect and fix your brakes. It is SUPER dangerous to drive without properly working brakes. Even if it seems like your brakes are working okay again without having them checked, your car is still probably not safe to drive until a professional evaluates what’s going on with your brakes.