What is the first thing you should do if your brakes fail while driving?

When experiencing a brake failure while driving, the first action you should take is to pump the brake pedal to try to build pressure. This method can sometimes restore braking power temporarily by creating hydraulic pressure in the brake lines, especially if there is a minor brake fluid leak or if the brake system has lost pressure due to air entering the lines.

Understanding the context of this action is vital—drivers can often rely on the brake system's hydraulic mechanism. If the brake system is still functional to some degree, pumping the brakes may enable the driver to slow the vehicle down enough to safely navigate to a stop or a less congested area.

Other responses may be appropriate in various scenarios. Steering towards a safe area helps in managing the vehicle's direction; shifting to a lower gear aids in slowing down the vehicle, and turning off the engine could be a last-resort measure if the vehicle cannot be stopped through other means. However, the immediate focus in a brake failure situation should be on attempting to regain some braking ability first through pumping the brake pedal.