Regular brake repair can help prevent drivers from losing control of their vehicle, reducing auto accidents. However, sometimes brakes can still fail. It is important that drivers know what to do in these emergency situations.
Brake repair and maintenance is crucial for your safety, but what happens when you realize that you can't stop? Even people who take good care of their vehicle may find themselves in a dangerous situation, which is why it is important to learn about the emergency braking alternatives that are available if you find your pedal has locked or lost functioning. There are several different problems that can occur, and it is vital that a driver is able to calm down and identify the issue in order to take the right precautionary measures that will best help them keep the car under control.
The first thing every driver must do when they find they are losing control or can't stop is to calm down. If you are maintaining a reasonable distance between you and the car in front, in many cases you will have enough time to react even if you only have a few seconds to spare. If the pedal is stuck and can't be pressed even with force, or if it pushes to the floor too softly, you should pump the petal to build up pressure. Brakes often stick in wet weather, so if it has been raining or snowing this is probably the best course of action to take. There may also be something more serious such as broken cylinder, which will later require immediate brake repair once you are safely off the road.
If you have a significant distance between you and an obstacle, pulling up the parking lever will often work to slow your car to a stop before you collide. You will need to be careful that no cars can potentially turn or merge in front of you, so be sure to turn on your emergency lights and keep a watchful eye on any nearby drivers. Your car should be moving fairly slowly before applying this technique, so downshift and decelerate. Using the lever suddenly during high speeds might cause you to skid out and lose control of the vehicle.
If there isn't time or there are too many dangers nearby, your goal should be to take yourself and other drivers out of harm's way. To do so, utilize your surroundings to help you slowly stop your car. If you're on a highway and have the opportunity, pull your car off the road if there is dirt, gravel, or another rough driving surface. You may also use freeway guardrails to drive against, forcing your car to stop. Hedges and shrubs make good crash points if absolutely necessary and are a much softer alternative than a divider or another vehicle (avoid trees at all costs as they are more dangerous than cars). Swerving may also help slow the car, but doing so on a crowded road can cause confusion from other drivers.
Routine brake repair such as pad and rotor replacement and inspections can greatly increase driver safety and reduce emergency situations. However, even the most well maintained vehicles can malfunction, and all drivers should be prepared for the worst just in case.
