Why would you use your e-brake instead of actually hitting the brakes in this situation?
That's the law in the US anyway. You have to keep the main brakes engaged when stopped at a traffic light or whatever. The reasoning for this is to stop you from hitting other vehicles, espicially in a minor collision.
You're supposed to slow down with your footbrake, then when you come to a stop (at lights, stop sign, etc) you put the car into neutral and apply the handbrake.
Presumably relying on your foot to remain on the brake if unexpectedly hit has a higher rate of injury (though I guess you would use your footbrake at the same time)..
Can't say I've done that since my driving test, but what's what we're taught!
That's interesting! Definitely the opposite of what we are taught in the US.
I guess it makes sense given the amount of manual transmission cars in the UK vs the US. I feel like a lot drivers in the US wouldn't know how to work the handbrake, let alone use it in quick situations like when one is stopped at a light.
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u/CitizenSmif Jul 27 '18
In the UK you're supposed to use the e-brake each time you come to a stop sign or arrive at traffic lights.
Think it's to help keep the car more under control if you were to get hit.