What should I do if my car's brakes fail completely while I'm driving?

Question

One of the most terrifying things that can happen to you while driving your vehicle is brake failure. It's a terrifying scenario that can happen out of nowhere, catching even the most experienced drivers off guard.
Typically, brake failure occurs when your vehicle does not have enough brake fluid due to a leak or has pads that are severely worn out, resulting in a braking system malfunction. Either that, or your callipers have seized, or your brake master cylinder has become clogged.
During a routine car service in Reading, have your braking system thoroughly inspected by a professional. This is to ensure that the necessary repairs are completed correctly and to prevent further incidents of brake failure.
If you find yourself in this precarious situation, you can safely bring your vehicle to a stop by following these steps:
Don't freak out or panic - One of the most important things you should do is not panic. This allows you to think clearly about what to do next and assess the situation at hand. With a clearer mind, you will be able to make better decisions that will assist you in stopping your vehicle and avoiding accidents along the way. If your brakes fail, you should remain calm while attempting to get your vehicle off the road. Also, turn on your hazard lights to identify yourself as a potential road hazard.

Reapply the brakes if necessary 
Most modern vehicles include a dual braking system that controls both the front and rear brakes. This means that even if your front brakes fail, you should be able to use the rear wheels' braking power and vice versa. While your stopping power will be reduced, it will still be sufficient to bring your vehicle to a stop, albeit with more room required. If either the front or rear brakes fail, apply firm and consistent pressure to the brake pedal to see if the car slows down. If nothing happens and your vehicle is still not slowing down, proceed to the next step.

Change to a lower gear 
 If the emergency brake is ineffective, the next best option is to downshift to a lower gear. This, in turn, will use the engine brake to slow down your vehicle; this works best with a manual transmission vehicle, but it can also be done with an automatic transmission. In the case of an automatic transmission, you can use the paddle shifters or the manual mode to select a lower gear. This also applies to older 4-speed automatic transmissions, which will allow you to shift to a lower gear. As you slow down, and if the revs allow, you can also enter L to maximise your vehicle's engine braking. When your speed is low enough, you can try using the handbrake to see if it can stop the car.

Apply the emergency/hand brake with caution 
 If your foot brake system fails completely, your only option is to use the emergency or handbrake. It is critical to remember that the handbrake operates on a different system than your hydraulic brakes. While it does not have the same stopping power, it is still sufficient to bring your car to a stop, albeit with a little more space required. When using the manual handbrake, keep the locking mechanism pressed down so you can release the brake at any time if your car begins to slide, which you do not want to happen.

When using electronic parking brakes, keep the steering wheel as stable as possible before engaging the e-brake. When attempting to stop your vehicle, do not turn it off at any point. This is especially true for vehicles equipped with electronic parking brakes, which us