Brake fade probably. In stop and go traffic in a hot climate brakes can get slower to respond. The brake pedal feels mushy is the best way to describe it. I've never experienced complete failure in South Florida traffic but I do know they I have to press harder each subsequent time.
If you had left more following distance you wouldn't have had to stop as quickly or as frequently. Either that or you need to maintain the car's braking system better. The point is, the brake fading is almost certainly a result of poor driving or maintenance habits, either of which should result in paying higher insurance premiums.
1. I'm already paying a higher premium just for driving in South Florida.
2. It's called bumper to bumper traffic for a reason. Following distance is <1 cars length. Anymore than that and some bozo is going to slide into your lane.
3. You know nothing of me nor my driving habits. I simply pointed out that brakes can fail or appear to fail for reasons other than mechanical failure.
> 1. I'm already paying a higher premium just for driving in South Florida.
Yes, but that's not because of your driving habits, is it?
> 2. It's called bumper to bumper traffic for a reason. Following distance is <1 cars length. Anymore than that and some bozo is going to slide into your lane.
Heaven forbid your ego take a little blow to make everybody safer.
> 3. You know nothing of me nor my driving habits. I simply pointed out that brakes can fail or appear to fail for reasons other than mechanical failure.
I know exactly what you've told me: You drive in a manner likely to cause your brakes to overheat and fade, a problem that many, many other people driving in the same conditions as you are able to avoid. Therefore, you should pay more than them for insurance, all else being equal.
I'm not entirely sure but the mechanic I trust said it was probably a bad master cylinder. That or just needed to change the brake fluid. It was definitely freaky because I like to think I do a decent job of keeping up on maintenance.