What is the FIRST thing you should do if your brakes stop working?

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When brakes stop working, the first thing to try is pumping the brake pedal several times to rebuild hydraulic pressure in the brake lines. This quick pump can restore brake assist and give you a chance to slow down and stop safely. If pressure returns, continue to brake gently and steer toward a safe place. If it doesn’t, switch to engine braking by downshifting to a lower gear and use the parking/emergency brake gradually as a backup. Turn on hazards and aim for a safe area to stop. The other options won’t help braking: turning on high beams doesn’t affect the braking system, shifting to neutral removes engine braking, and turning off the engine can reduce power steering and brake assist, making braking harder.