what will happen to the cars if they are in motion if/when this happens?
A slow grind to a halt. To experience this go find a deserted area and turn your car off while you are driving. Braking is done through hydraulics and that power comes from mechanical motion of the crankshaft to the hydraulic pump. Power steering works the same way. If you have a car that steers / brakes itself you just add a controller to the mix but the basic principle works the same way.
I drive mountain roads frequently and my anxiety always has me panic about losing steering and braking with the car and its electronic braking and electronic steering. I like power assist but all the new cars have "electronic" and I don't know what that means. The parking brake is set by pushing a button (I drive a 2020 subcompact so nothing fancy) and there is a delay until I feel and hear the brakes being set. So you don't think that all the late model cars will crash into each other and/or go flying off the mountainside? That's a relief for my panicky brain! :)
So you don't think that all the late model cars will crash into each other and/or go flying off the mountainside?
No, like I said the ease at witch you brake and steer will become difficult but not impossible. The emergency brake being applied by a button and not a pedal is most disturbing. That is everyone's fail safe way of stopping a car. Are you sure there isn't a pedal / mechanical way of stopping the car?
Anyway, when your engine dies and the braking and steering become difficult you will be amazed at how much strength you will get through adrenaline to safely stop the vehicle.
I'll look in the manual to see if there is an alternate way of braking. It's a subcompact so manual steering should be easy! Thank you for the reassurance :)
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