If your brakes stop working, what should be your first action?

The most effective first action to take if your brakes stop working is to pump the brake pedal several times. This technique can often build up brake fluid pressure, allowing the brakes to engage momentarily. In many modern vehicles, if the brake system suffers a failure, the vehicle may still have some braking ability left for a short time. By pumping the brakes, you might be able to slow down or stop the vehicle safely.

In moments of panic, it can be tempting to take drastic actions like jumping out of the vehicle, which is extremely dangerous and not advisable. Flashing your lights can alert other drivers of your situation, but it does not address the primary issue of stopping the vehicle. Shifting into neutral can be relevant as a subsequent step to slow down the vehicle, but the initial focus should be on trying to regain some brake control with the pedal. Thus, pumping the brake is the most logical and immediate response before taking further actions.