If your vehicle's brakes fail completely, what may allow you to stop safely?

When brakes fail completely, the ability to stop the vehicle safely relies heavily on the use of the parking brake. The parking brake, often designed for situations where regular brakes cannot be used, allows a driver to gradually decrease speed by applying pressure to the rear wheels. This method reduces the risk of skidding and allows for greater control compared to a sudden application, which could lead to loss of traction and increase the chances of an accident.

Gradually engaging the parking brake helps in bringing the vehicle to a stop while minimizing the risk of locking up the wheels, which can cause skidding. It's important to note that this should be done calmly and with awareness of the surrounding traffic, as it may also affect the stability of the vehicle.

In contrast, other options could lead to dangerous situations. For example, engaging emergency lights is useful for alerting other drivers of a problem but does not aid in stopping the vehicle. Accelerating would not help regain control in a braking failure scenario; instead, it could exacerbate the situation. Swerving might provide temporary avoidance of obstacles but does not help in stopping the vehicle, potentially leading to further loss of control or collisions.