How to Stop if You Lose Your Brakes

Sometimes I consider myself very lucky for having the great schooling I did. One lesson came in handy on Friday!

I was driving home Friday and took Route 11 instead of 81S because of the congestion. Good thing I did, because as I came to a stop at a light near the truck stop, I felt my brakes go soft.

As it is rare after that to need to stop, I didn't notice how bad the brake problem was until I came to the intersection of Routes 11 and 171. Uh-oh. No brakes! I turned right into a parking lot and called my husband.

I carefully drove the rest of the way home, going over the steps on how to stop in case I needed to.

Would you know those steps if you ever lost your brakes? Here's a refresher.

1. You've lost your brakes. Don't panic. Check the traffic around and in front of you. Put on your hazard lights and manually turn off your cruise control (if you have it).

2. Pump your brakes. If you get them back, proceed cautiously home.

3. If the brakes don't work after you pump them, then downshift one gear at a time to slow the car down. Do NOT do this rapidly or you could lose control.

4. Choose your 'exit' spot. This is where you will pull in, to get out of traffic, as you come to a stop. Be sure this area is not inclined. Turn off your hazard light and put your turn signal on.

5. Slowly apply your emergency (parking) brake. It will take a while for the vehicle to come to a complete stop.

6. Breathe!