If your brakes fail after pumping them without success, what should you do?

When your brakes fail and after pumping them does not yield any results, the appropriate course of action is to gently pull on the parking brake. This method serves as a secondary braking system that can help reduce your speed gradually. It is important to apply the parking brake slowly and steadily to avoid locking the wheels, which can lead to a loss of control.

Using the parking brake in this situation can help bring the vehicle to a stop more safely than abruptly slamming on the gas pedal or steering into an obstruction. The other options, such as continually pumping the brakes, are ineffective once the brakes have lost their ability to function properly. Similarly, steering into a guardrail or other roadside barriers can cause additional damage to your vehicle and pose a risk to yourself and others on the road. Therefore, utilizing the parking brake is the safest and most effective method to manage brake failure.