If a sanitation worker's vehicle brakes fail while driving, what should be the next step?

When a sanitation worker experiences brake failure while driving, the best course of action is to ease the emergency brake until the vehicle comes to a safe stop. Engaging the emergency brake allows the driver to slow down the vehicle in a controlled manner, minimizing the risk of a collision or an accident. This method is especially important because the emergency brake is designed to help stop the vehicle in situations where regular braking is not functioning correctly.

The intention here is to bring the vehicle to a stop in the safest way possible, considering the potential dangers of brake failure. The other options, while they may seem viable, do not prioritize immediate safety in the same way. For example, driving to the nearest garage or continuing to drive cautiously could lead to dangerous situations if the brakes are completely non-functional. Calling for a replacement vehicle is a reasonable action but should not be the immediate response in the critical moment of brake failure. Therefore, applying the emergency brake makes sense as it directly addresses the need to halt the vehicle safely.