When facing total brake failure, what is the recommended method to stop your vehicle?

When faced with total brake failure, the recommended method to stop your vehicle involves applying the parking brake slowly until the vehicle comes to a stop. This approach is essential because it helps maintain control over the vehicle while decelerating. If the parking brake is engaged too aggressively, it can cause the rear wheels to lock up, potentially leading to a loss of control and causing the vehicle to skid.

Gradually applying the parking brake allows for a smoother stop, giving the driver a better chance to maintain vehicle stability. Additionally, using the parking brake can act as an emergency measure to help slow the vehicle down safely.

While options such as drifting to the side of the road or applying the parking brake quickly may seem intuitive in an emergency, they can compromise safety and control. Drifting to the side may not always be feasible depending on the road conditions or traffic, and a sudden application of the parking brake could result in skidding or flipping the vehicle. Turning off the ignition is also discouraged because it can deactivate power steering and power brakes, making the vehicle more difficult to control.