What should you do if you experience brake failure while driving?

If you experience brake failure while driving, shifting to a lower gear and pumping the brakes is the appropriate action to take. By downshifting, you can utilize engine braking to help reduce speed. When you pump the brakes, you may restore some braking power if there's a temporary loss of fluid pressure or if the brakes are compromised but not completely failed. This method gives you the chance to slow down and regain control of the vehicle safely before it becomes a greater hazard.

The other responses suggest rather risky maneuvers. Turning off the engine immediately can lead to loss of power steering and control, making the vehicle harder to maneuver. Accelerating to stop quickly is counterproductive and dangerous, as it increases speed rather than helping to slow the vehicle down. Steering towards the curb and honking does not address the primary issue of brake failure and does not help in safely reducing your speed. Thus, the focus on downshifting and pumping the brakes serves as a critical technique to handle such an emergency effectively.