To use the handbrake ?

[PapitoSpice]

Inspired by another thread but without wishing to hijack it, do you (or did you) use your handbrake parking and at traffic lights?

(Admittedly with modern cars and auto-hold, this has become less of a thing).

I was taught to use the handbrake when parking and at traffic lights, if I was going to be longer then, I don’t know, say 30 seconds. It’s ingrained so I do it on the flat as well as on hills.

DH and his family (who are from East Anglia - not sure if it’s linked to the topography) don’t do it.

AIBU to regularly use the handbrake?

I'm becoming more risk adverse. The handbrake minimises risk. My Son in law uses it when the GC are in the car, or any other children.

At traffic lights, I use the handbrake on a hill but otherwise I don't tend to bother. We don't have many sets of lights around here though - just two within about a 15 mile radius

If I'm parking or pulling over anywhere then I always, always put the handbrake on.

I don't use it at traffic lights, but definitely when I park (who doesn't use it when they park? That's what it's for!)

Never

I always do at lighten so I can rest my feet. Also parking or the car would move surely ?

I don't use the handbrake unless I'm in a steep hill, but will always sit with my foot in the brake. Handbrake on every time I park though

I don't but I was taught to.

I do, because I hate sitting with my foot pressed on the brake, and having been driven into the back of before, I don't want to be part of a shunt. I think that's why you're supposed to.

I do, to limit the cars forward movement if I am hit from behind. It also lets you rest your brake foot and avoids the brake lights glaring for the car behind, particularly at night.

When learningI was taught the handbrake was a must at all pedestrian crossings.

Hills definitely as it makes starting easier (especially in the car with the electric handbrake).

My area seems to breed temporary traffic lights and it usually takes a few minutes to go green.

Not really. Perhaps if on a slope but generally not.

I do, for all the reasons stated above, and also to avoid rolling backwards, which could happen if using the footbrake when you have to take your foot off to restart the car.

I was also taught to use it at a stop sign to show the examiner that you've definitely fully stopped - which I don't bother doing any more!

Always when parking though

I think the East Anglia thing is relevant!

I've basically given up doing it here but had a shock driving in Leeds when it wasn't optional.

My driving instructor (25 years ago) was a former police instructor and taught me to apply the handbrake when waiting at traffic lights / in queues of traffic, as it reduces the effect of a shunt.

Do I do it all the time now? Probably not, but I try to when I remember.

I always apply it when parked up, but I have a friend from Florence who tells me that it's considered rude to use your handbrake when parking there, as spaces are at such a premium that sometimes you have to apply a wee strategic nudge to the car in front or behind to squeeze into a gap!

(She may or may not be pulling my rope on that one - maybe a Florentine MNer could confirm or deny?!)

Just pondering.... whilst a handbrake would prevent a shunt, would it cause greater impact for you? Does shunting mean the impact on you is lessened as you are not like a brick wall?

Yep, I use it a traffic lights and at junctions when I am waiting for a gap in the traffic. I had it ingrained to me that it needs to be on for anything longer than a 30 second stop, and I just feel less nervous with it on if I am stopping for a significant amount of time.

Shunting would to a degree reduce the force of impact on you, as part of the energy is transferred into movement - but cars are designed to absorb impact into the bumper and crush zones

But when you are shunted you continue the accident forwards.
If there are pedestrians then you get shunted into them for the sake of your bumper, or at a junction you are shunted forward in front of traffic going into your side

I think re the shunting it means that you won't bump forward into the car in front if someone hits you from behind. Or potentially knock a pedestrian crossing in front of you.

I learnt to drive in east Anglia and wasn't taught to do it. I noticed my mum does it though.

I also learnt to drive in london. My second instructor thought it was hilarious that I had learnt to do a hill start on a speed bump.

I’m a trainee driving instructor. Technically if you’re going to be sat stopped you should apply the handbrake, but if it’s for say thirty seconds then it’s judged not to be worth it.

My part 2 test will see me using auto handbrake!

this is dangerous as if someone hits you from behind, your foot will slip and you will go forward, potentially into oncoming traffic.

I use the handbrake whenever stopped at lights etc, especially on a hill. a small stop street where the stop is just seconds, less likely. Always when parking.

We had a hire car for a while when our's was being repaired and it had some kind of automatic brake on. It was quite odd to get used to but I liked it - it guarantees that the car is not relying on my foot on the brake.

When I drove a manual I used handbrake at all lights unless I knew it would be a quick change, always on hills etc. Now I'm in an auto and have auto handbrake etc I don't. I used to live in a hilly part of Glos. Now live in fairly flat area of Norwich

I use it sensibly where the wait is likely to be upwards of 30 seconds.

Aside from anything else it's in the highway code that you should and at night time it reduces the glare for the drivers behind you (unless you also don't use your brake which is just baffling).

I always use my handbrake at lights, I like to relax my feet. Assumed everyone did tbh!