What should you do if your brakes fail while driving?

Shifting to a lower gear is an appropriate response when brakes fail because it helps to slow down the vehicle by utilizing the engine's braking power. When you downshift, the engine slows the vehicle as the transmission engages a lower gear, which reduces the vehicle's speed without relying solely on the brake system. This technique is often referred to as engine braking and can be effective in maintaining control while bringing the vehicle to a stop.

Using the emergency brake can also be an option, but it should be applied with caution to avoid skidding or losing control of the vehicle, especially if done abruptly. Steering into a wall would likely lead to a collision and is not a safe method of stopping. Accelerating would be counterproductive and might worsen the situation, as it can lead to a loss of control rather than aiding in safely stopping the vehicle.