What is the first thing to do if your brakes fail?

The most appropriate initial response when facing brake failure is to pump the brake pedal hard and fast. This action can create enough residual pressure in the brake system to help slow the vehicle down. If the brakes have partially failed due to a loss of hydraulic pressure, pumping the pedal can sometimes enable drivers to regain some braking ability, allowing for better control of the vehicle.

Once fundamental actions like pumping the brake do not work sufficiently, applying the emergency brake becomes a secondary option. The emergency brake operates independently of the vehicle's main braking system and can help to stop or slow the vehicle if the primary brakes are unresponsive.

Steering off the road may also be necessary later but should come after attempting to regain control through braking actions. Sounding the horn, while it can alert others to a potential hazard, does not directly assist in stopping the vehicle and should not be prioritized in this scenario.