What to do When you Experience Brake Failure While Driving Your Truck

Driving is a task that can become hypnotic for many people and can easily zone out when driving long distances. Long drives can also leave us susceptible to fatigue. We often seem to forget how dangerous driving can truly be as it has become a routine task. 

Imagine pressing the truck brakes and your car doesn’t come to a quick stop when you need it most. That can be an extremely terrifying and possibly life-altering experience and the risk of death are high when your brakes, or you, are not in tip-top shape.

At Professional Transport Driving Training School, we want you to be prepared for the things you can control as well as those you have less control over. To start your learning, we will go over what to do when your brakes fail and you’re in a moving vehicle.

Downshift

When you notice your truck brakes are no longer working, do not panic. You can improve everyone on the road’s chances of safety by downshifting slowly. Manually downshift your truck into a lower gear. This will help decrease momentum and slow the vehicle so you can have more control over the truck.

Use the Emergency Brake to Stop

The emergency brakes will not completely bring your truck to a halt, but they will help in significantly slowing the truck down. Turn on the truck brake lights if you have time to warn others on the road. 

If the road is relatively clear and you still have complete control over the vehicle, also turn on your flashing hazard lights and honk your horn to notify others around you. Even if they do not fully understand the situation, they will be aware you are unable to control your truck and can steer clear of you.

Pump Brakes if Hydraulics

The majority of modern vehicles have a dual brake system that independently controls the front and back brakes. By pumping the brakes aggressively, the momentum engages half of the brakes to slow you to a stop. 

Find an Escape Route

As the truck begins to slow, steer yourself to an area on the side of the road that would limit damages if a collision were to occur. Coming to a complete stop would be relieving, but you’d be putting yourself and others in danger if it’s in the middle of the highway. When deemed appropriate on a highway, you may wish to use the nearest exit to stop the truck.

Use an Escape Ramp

An escape ramp uses a material with friction in the bed, to slow the car and eventually bring it to a stop. If you notice, there is an escape ramp that you can safely maneuver the truck to; do not hesitate to use it! It can prevent major damages to yourself and others on the road.

Get Prepared Today

We are a truck driving school with staff that want to help you have a safe experience on the road. Driving a truck when the situation isn’t grave may be a skill you’ve mastered but when an emergency strikes, you want to be prepared. Call our Winnipeg office at 204-925-1580 or our Brandon office at 204-729-0240, or send us a message online today.