When your brakes give out and you're about to hit an object, what should you do?

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When brakes fail, you can’t rely on stopping power, so the priorities become protecting yourself and steering to safety. Keeping your seat belt fastened holds you securely in place, which lets you maintain control with your steering and reduces the risk of being thrown forward in a crash. Steering toward the safest area—like the shoulder or an open space away from pedestrians, traffic, and objects—gives you a chance to slow gradually and avoid the impact.

If you can, use engine braking by downshifting to help slow you down and guide the vehicle to a stop, but don’t count on braking to stop. Other actions—pumping the brakes, turning off the engine immediately, or accelerating to avoid impact—don’t address the immediate need to stay protected and maneuver to safety and can make things worse.