What action should you NOT take if your brakes fail?

Engaging cruise control is not a safe action to take if your brakes fail. Cruise control is designed to maintain a constant speed and can prevent you from being able to quickly respond to unexpected situations, such as a brake failure. If the brakes are not functioning properly, you may need immediate and full control of the vehicle to avoid an accident, and relying on cruise control can hinder that ability.

In a situation where your brakes have failed, the priority should be to maintain control of the vehicle. Steering to a safe area allows you to guide the vehicle away from traffic or obstacles. Shifting to a lower gear can help slow the vehicle down using engine braking. Using the emergency brake is also a critical measure to gradually bring the vehicle to a stop, but it should be used carefully to avoid locking up the wheels. Engaging cruise control does not facilitate any of these safety measures and can directly contribute to dangerous situations during brake failure.