Saskatchewan Driver Education GDL Class 7 Learner Practice Test

What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

1. Shift to a lower gear and try to stop safely using your emergency brake

2. Immediately steer off the road

3. Use the horn to alert other drivers

4. Hit the gas pedal to regain control

The correct answer is: Shift to a lower gear and try to stop safely using your emergency brake

When faced with brake failure while driving, shifting to a lower gear and using the emergency brake is crucial for slowing the vehicle down safely. By downshifting, the engine can help to decelerate the car, providing additional control over the vehicle. The emergency brake is designed to engage the rear brakes, allowing you to come to a stop gradually, rather than abruptly, which can prevent loss of control and potential skidding. Using the emergency brake should be done carefully to avoid locking up the rear wheels, which can lead to a loss of traction. It's also important to ensure that you don't shift into a gear that is too low for your speed, as this could cause the engine to stall. Other options, like steering off the road, might not always be safe or even possible, as sudden movements can lead to a loss of control. Using the horn to alert other drivers doesn’t address the immediate concern of stopping the vehicle. Hitting the gas pedal would only exacerbate the situation, making it harder to regain control. Therefore, the action of downshifting and utilizing the emergency brake serves to directly address the brake failure in a proactive manner.