What is the first action to take if your brakes fail while driving?

If your brakes fail while driving, the most immediate and critical action to take is to pump the brake pedal to build pressure. This technique can sometimes restore enough hydraulic pressure in the braking system to slow down the vehicle. This is especially relevant in situations where the brake fluid might be low or if there is an air bubble in the braking system.

By attempting to pump the brakes, you are giving yourself the possibility of regaining some braking control before deciding on further actions. If pumping doesn't yield results, it's essential to remain calm and figure out the next steps to safely bring the vehicle to a stop, such as steering toward a safe area or using the emergency brake as a last resort.

Promptly engaging hazard lights or steering to a safe location involves recognizing the problem but does not directly address the immediate need to slow the vehicle. Therefore, while those actions may later become necessary after attempting to restore brake function, they are not the first critical step when experiencing a brake failure.