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What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

I’m not always confident in my driving abilities and I drive an old clunker. While I try to keep up with maintenance, I feel like my brakes might be starting to fail. What should I do if my brakes fail while I’m behind the wheel?

Eric Schad · Updated on Feb 21, 2022

Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.

If you conduct

routine maintenance

on your car, you shouldn’t have to worry about your brakes. But in the off-chance that your brakes should fail, follow these steps:

Take your foot off the gas immediately.

Whether you’re driving an automatic or a manual, try to downshift to a lower gear.

Pump the brakes in an attempt to regain control.

Try to steer safely to the side of the road.

Apply the emergency brake.

Turn on your hazard lights.

While car insurance can’t repair the wear and tear on your car, it can definitely save you a few bucks for future repairs on your vehicle. But don’t go it alone. Use the

app to get the most affordable insurance available.

Jerry is a licensed insurance broker that provides quotes from dozens of top-rated and well-known car insurance companies. After you find a great rate, Jerry can help you buy insurance and cancel your old policy. Customers save an average of nearly $900 per year!

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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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