What should you do if your brakes fail?

In the event of brake failure, shifting into neutral while gradually applying the handbrake is the best course of action. When you shift to neutral, you disconnect the engine power from the wheels, allowing the vehicle to decelerate without further acceleration from the engine. This helps in controlling the vehicle's speed as you prepare to come to a stop.

Gradually applying the handbrake is crucial because doing so suddenly can cause the rear wheels to lock up, leading to a loss of control and potential skidding. By applying it slowly, you maintain better control of the vehicle, enabling a smoother stop while also giving other drivers and pedestrians a chance to react to your situation.

This approach combines immediate action with careful control, prioritizing safety for yourself and others on the road. The other options do not provide effective strategies for managing a situation where brakes have failed. For instance, turning off the engine can lead to a loss of power steering and braking assistance, and using emergency flashers alone does not address the need to slow down or stop the vehicle. Avoiding steering would prevent necessary vehicle control in such a critical situation.