Why do some drivers sit at lights with their foot on the brake?

Question

This is very annoying indeed , especially with these new type high brake lamps. If the traffic lights have just turned to red , why don't they use their handbrake and be ready, in gear, to drive off. Surely it must be easier?

Answer 1

Possibly because they're driving an automatic

Answer 2

Apply the parking brake and put the gear lever in neutral when your stopped at traffic lights or queing behind other vehicles, unless the wait is likely to be very short. Your foot could easily slip off the footbrake if, for example, your shoes are wet, of if your bumped from behind. You could then be pushed into another vehicle or a pedestrian. Always leave a safe gap between your vehicle and the vehicle in front while queing, especially on a hill.This will give you room to manoeuvre should the vehicle roll back. The use of the parking brake is even more important on vehicles with automatic transmission. The parking brake will help avoid The possibilty of creep The vehicle surging forward if the accelerator is pressed accidently while in drive.

Answer 3

Safety is why people stop at red lights and hold the foot brake. The hand brake or emergency or parking brake is not intended for use to stop or hold the vehicle in a stopped postition while in traffic. The reason being that brake lights need to be on in order to alert the driver behind them to stop or slow down as well. It is not any easier, and in fact sounds more confusing than just holding the car with the foot brake.

There are a few things that annoy me as well, like people who ride the brake while driving, speed up and brake every 10 seconds, but for stopping I am willing to concede brighter brake lamps.

Answer 4

I don't know where you people are from. However, here is a little mechanical secret that most of you may not be aware of. The release mechanism on the brakes is much stronger than on the "Emergency Brake". In Manitoba, Canada, where I live, you stop at a red light, in the middle of winter, and apply the Emergency, there is high risk that your brakes will "Freeze" in the "ON" position. Releasing the brake lever may not release the brakes, and when the light turns green.....guess what...you're not going anywhere.

Aside from that, the purpose of brake lights is to warn other drivers that you are stopping or stopped. Consider the following scenario.....
You drive around a curve, and come upon a traffic signal that turns red as you approach.
You stop at the red light....A few seconds later, another vehicle comes around the curve, and sees the first car. What is there to tell this driver that the car in front of him is stopped, if the Brake lights aren't on.
That's why they exist.....same as "Hazard Flashers" If you break down, and pull over to the side of the road...you put on the 4-way flashers, to warn other motorists that you are there. All for Safety

I can't believe that these lights actually blind people......The traffic lights themselves are brighter than the brake lights, and I'm sure that nobody would suggest dimming them.

Answer 5

Automatics have to, in a manual it's much more efficient to hold it ready to go straight away with your feet. If I feel lazy i'll put the handbrake on but otherwise I use my feet. When combining hand and foot action the human brain is much slower. The handbrake is the last vestige of the incompetant drivers. Oh and on many cars there is the problem that the handbrake doesn't hold the car properly. Would it be less annoying if they rolled back onto you then claimed off your insurance because you shunted them in the rear?

Answer 6

This is really a silly question and if you are annoyed, perhaps you shouldn't drive so much? Most people driving cars with automatic transmissions sit at a light with their foot on the brake so when the light turns green they can move out quickly. With a stick-shift vehicle, I see most people take their car out of gear and keep their foot on the brake. When the light turns green, they push in the clutch, put car into gear and go. You should never use your hand brake unless you are parking the car. I am guessing you are young and have not been driving that long? Perhaps you should think seriously about all the annoying dangerous things you do while driving!

Answer 7

Because some people are more concerned with stopping or staying stopped at a red light than racing off as soon as it goes green. Most cars on the road are fully automatic these days and don't have a parking brake.

Answer 8

If you took time to really notice the "handbrake" as you call it is really the parking brake. People don't use it because they are not parked. And if you don't get it released quick enough, the guy behind you will run into you because he can't see that you are not ready to move. If your brake lights go out, the next step is the gas. CRUNCH!!!

Answer 9

anyone who has been driving for a long time does this cause its easier in a manuel clutch down brake/ accelerator.auto brake acc no handbrake unless your stuck in the whole of london /livingstones road works for ages then handbrake neutral

Answer 10

It may be easier but it is not safer. If you get hit from behind, your foot is already on the brake and the natural tendancy is to hit the brake. You're that much closer. The so-called "emergency" brake is not as efficient as all four wheel brakes. This will prevent you from being pushed into the intersection if hit from behind.

Answer 11

It's all so simple, and you won't have to ever be annoyed again.
Time the lights and always be the first to stop at the light.
I know, and then you have the idiot on the opposite side with his bright lights on.
Problems problems