What should a school bus driver do if they experience brake failure with air brakes?

In a situation where a school bus driver experiences brake failure with air brakes, using the parking brake is crucial. The parking brake is designed to engage the brakes more forcefully and can help slow down or bring the vehicle to a stop when the primary braking system fails.

When air brakes lose pressure, the system can default to a fail-safe mode, which typically prevents the bus from moving or applies the brakes. However, if there's an incident of complete brake failure, the parking brake can serve as a secondary option to reduce speed and secure the vehicle. This method is essential for safely bringing the bus to a halt while maintaining control of the vehicle.

Utilizing the emergency brake is also a common practice; however, it's important to recognize that for air brake systems, the emergency brake may not provide the necessary stopping power as effectively as the parking brake. Therefore, choosing the parking brake when brake failure occurs can be the more reliable option to ensure safety.

Steering to the shoulder and turning off the ignition are actions that can be taken in specific circumstances. Still, they do not address the immediate need to stop the bus effectively. Engaging the parking brake helps to mitigate the risks associated with brake failure and is the correct action to take when faced with such a critical