Massachusetts Permit Practice Test

If your brakes fail, what is an alternative method to stop your car?

1. Use the horn

2. Apply the parking brake and shift into a lower gear

3. Steer into a barrier

4. Drive onto the shoulder

The correct answer is: Apply the parking brake and shift into a lower gear

Applying the parking brake and shifting into a lower gear is an effective alternative method to stop your car in the event of brake failure. When you apply the parking brake, it engages the rear brakes, which can help to slow down the vehicle. Shifting into a lower gear utilizes engine braking, allowing the engine to help reduce speed. Both of these methods work together to provide a more controlled and gradual stop. Selecting this approach instead of using the horn, steering into a barrier, or driving onto the shoulder is critical in a situation where brakes have failed. The horn, while useful for alerting other drivers, will not assist in stopping the vehicle. Steering into a barrier could be dangerous and may cause an accident. Driving onto the shoulder might be a way to move out of the lane, but without braking, you're still not addressing the need to stop the vehicle safely. Therefore, using the parking brake and shifting to a lower gear represents a proactive and cautious technique for reducing speed and stopping the car in an emergency situation.