When front brakes fail and back brakes lock, which outcome is most likely?

When the front brakes fail and the rear brakes lock, the most likely outcome is that the vehicle will skid diagonally. This occurs because the front brakes are responsible for providing stopping power and maintaining steering control. If they fail, the vehicle loses significant control over its direction, and without the ability to effectively stop, the locking rear brakes can lead to a situation where the rear wheels lose traction.

When the rear brakes lock, they create a situation where the back of the vehicle can slide sideways, which is known as skidding. Since the front of the vehicle is not experiencing braking capability, it can continue to move forward while the rear wheels are attempting to stop. This imbalance results in the vehicle skidding diagonally rather than coming to a complete stop or rotating in a specific direction.

Understanding this behavior is critical for safe vehicle operation, as it underlines the importance of functional brakes and the need for skilled handling in emergency situations. Properly managing braking systems and being aware of how brake failures can affect vehicle dynamics can greatly improve safety on the road.