Doesn't anyone use their handbrake any more?

[bushymcbush]

I get really irritated when I'm sitting in slow moving traffic in the dark, and every time the queue is at a standstill, even if for a couple of minutes, I'm half blinded by the brake lights of the car in front.

Modern cars lights are way bigger and brighter than they used to be and most of them have a massive third brake light across the top of the rear window as well as the two usual lights. It is bloody uncomfortable and annoying to sit looking at them glaring garishly at me, and it obscures my view of the other surroundings.

When I learned to drive I was taught to always use my handbrake for any stop longer than a momentary (couple of seconds) pause. I still do this and I wish everyone else would too.

As you were.

some cars have lights that come on when your handbrake is on

I have an electronic parking brake and it is a pita to put on and off so I don't use it!

My brake lights come on with my 'hand brake' which is actually a switch on the dash board.

Hardly ever use mine. Only in traffic jams or at lights on a hill. So passe.

I only use my handbrake when I stop on a slope.

The only driver I know who always uses it is my Nana.

Oh ... really? Your cars have handbrakes that trigger the brake light?

I guess I'll have to learn to curb my annoyance.

(I have an ancient car)

YANBU but I have an automatic, foot brake is a lot easier than hand brake/neutral shift because if I do that I have to apply the foot brake then shift to drive then press the accelerator by which time the person behind is pissed off I'm still stopped on a green light. Now I get why big arse cars usually have their brake lights on.

I ALWAYS use my handbrake in the dark because I'm a good driver.

Whenever I put my handbrake on (mainly hill starts or if the lights take aaages) I forget it's on and end up revving loudly and not going anywhere when the lights change.

Hence I don't use it often.

(I am a good driver, honest )

To those saying they never use the handbrake, why on earth not? You can free your feet for a nice rest!

Do I really drive like someone's Nana? I'm 37!

I use my handbrake and DH gets very annoyed with me. He claims I am abnormal as noone else does.

I do use my handbrake (horror stories about being hit from behind, and shooting into the car in front when foot slips off normal brake)..

what does me in is people who put on their fog lights just because it's a cold, dank, wet morning... they're for FOG and they're really, really blinding if it's just wet!

Also have electronic parking brake which is total pain in arse to take on and off so I don't bother.

I always use my handbrake. Why is it a nan thing to do? I spend a lot of time in slow-moving traffic and never realised everyone else was standing on their foot brakes.

I always use my handbrake because my car's playing up at the moment and, when the engine's cold, the revs die away and I stall

There's a pic on my profile if you want to compare ancient cars, Bushy. Mine's so old I don't pay road tax

What annoys me more is the rolling back that often seems to happen when drivers don't use the handbrake. Much more control getting biting point, then releasing handbrake and moving off. The number of times I've almost been rolled back onto (as a drive and pedestrian) despite leaving Tarmac & tyres spacing. Grrrr!

Well I was told that if you get hit from behind with your handbrake on and hit the car in front you are not liable. If you only have your foot on the brake then you are liable. Prob crap though

I only use it on a hill. Isn't the handbrake one of the first things to wear out? Seems a bit weird to give it more wear unnecessarily.

I never use it, only when parked.

You want to get your eyes tested, the only way break lights could be blinding you is if you have your eyeballs pressed up against the bulb.

And no, I don't use my hand brake much.

I use my handbrake but then I live in Sheffield and we have a lot of hills! Also, I hope it preserves my clutch a bit longer by doing so.

A rather poignant thread for me as I forgot to use my hand brake today and was alerted to the fact as someone said "Who owns the Ford, it's rolling down the street!"

yy to preserving your clutch,

I generally use my handbrake - unless I know I'll need to make a quick getaway at a junction.

I was taught to always use the handbrake as riding the clutch wore it out and increased fuel useage.

Only use it for parking. In traffic? Never, such a hassle. I just use the normal brake. I drive an automatic as well, so hills are not an issue.