How should you react if your brakes fail?

Answer: A — Pump the brakes gently, use the parking brake, and steer to safety.

When experiencing brake failure, the most effective response is to pump the brakes gently, use the parking brake, and steer to safety. Pumping the brakes may restore some braking power by building up brake fluid pressure, which can help slow the vehicle. Engaging the parking brake is crucial as it provides an additional method to slow down the vehicle, but it should be applied gradually to avoid skidding. Steering to safety is important to navigate the vehicle away from potential hazards or obstacles. The other choices do not appropriately address the situation. Turning off the ignition immediately can lead to a loss of power steering and could cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Trying to downshift quickly might not effectively slow the car down and can also result in a loss of control if not executed properly. Hitting the gas pedal would only increase speed, making it more difficult to regain control and stop the vehicle safely.