1. Shift to a lower gear: While pulling up the parking brake, downshift to put an additional load on the engine and its drive train. Shifting your transmission into the lowest gear possible (like first gear in a standard transmission car or "L" in an automatic) will use engine braking to help slow your vehicle down.
2. Look for a safe place to stop: Try to steer clear of other cars, and stay away from obstacles like guard rails if possible. If you have to choose between running off the road and potentially going head-on with another car, always choose the off-road option.
3. If on a hill, pull the handbrake slowly and intermittently: Using the handbrake on a slope will be most effective if done methodically. Pulling it up too high or too fast on a hill can cause your rear tires to lock, increasing the likelihood that you will slide and lose control.
4. Remain calm: In brake-failure scenarios, it's imperative that you remain calm and take calculated steps to avoid panicking. This can make the difference between an incident becoming a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation.
