What is the correct way to handle a situation when the vehicle brakes fail?

When faced with a situation where vehicle brakes fail, using emergency braking methods and guiding the vehicle to a safe stop is essential for ensuring safety for both the driver and others on the road. This approach focuses on stabilizing the vehicle and minimizing the risk of an accident.

Applying emergency brakes can include methods such as gently downshifting to lower gears to reduce speed, using the parking brake carefully to avoid locking the rear wheels, and steering towards a safe area to bring the vehicle to a stop. Each of these actions helps maintain control over the vehicle and can prevent potential collisions or further damage.

The other options, while they might seem helpful at first glance, do not provide an effective or safe response to brake failure. Ignoring the issue and continuing to drive could lead to catastrophic outcomes. Turning off the engine immediately can disable power steering and power brakes, making it significantly harder to control the vehicle. Calling for roadside assistance is not effective in the moment if immediate action on the brakes is necessary. Thus, employing emergency methods to bring the vehicle to a controlled stop is the most responsible and effective course of action.