What should you do if your brakes are not functioning properly?

When brakes are not functioning properly, using the emergency brake and steering to a safe area is essential for ensuring safety. The emergency brake, also known as the parking brake, is designed to help bring the vehicle to a stop in case the main braking system fails. Engaging it allows you to slow down safely and regain control of the vehicle, which is especially important if you're in traffic or near other road users. Steering to a safe area helps to avoid potential collisions, ensuring the safety of both the driver and others on the road.

Considering the other options, accelerating to stop more quickly is not advisable as speeding up when experiencing brake failure could lead to a loss of control or an increased risk of accidents. Ignoring the issue until the next stop would likely exacerbate the problem, putting yourself and others in danger. Pulling over and turning off the engine may help to stop the vehicle, but it does not provide a controlled method of deceleration like the emergency brake does. Therefore, utilizing the emergency brake is the most effective and safe response in this scenario.