If your brakes fail and downshifting does not help, what should you do next?

Using the parking brake is the correct action to take if your brakes fail and downshifting is ineffective. The parking brake, also known as the emergency brake, is designed to provide an additional means of slowing down the vehicle when the primary braking system has failed. Pulling the parking brake gradually applies pressure to the rear wheels, which helps to reduce speed safely.

While it might seem intuitive to shift to neutral or increase speed, these actions could exacerbate the situation. Shifting to neutral can lead to a loss of control because the vehicle will no longer have engine braking assistance, and increasing speed can make it harder to stop safely. Making a U-turn is generally unsafe in a situation where brakes are not functioning properly, as it requires precise control over the vehicle, which could be compromised without reliable brakes.

Using the parking brake provides a more controlled and effective method to bring the vehicle to a stop in an emergency braking failure scenario.