Handbrake law UK

[jeff m]

I read in another thread, can't find it now, that it's illegal to sit stationary with foot on the brake with no handbrake on. *even for auto trans"

While it makes sense in a manual transmission, why hold open the clutch, but on an auto it seems to be over legislation, a foot on the brake at the lights is the way most people drive autos (in the US)and "Park" although not recommended when leaving the car unattended I would think is adequete with the driver in the seat.

I know the main gripe of people is that they had a skinfull the previus evening and the bright lights bother them.
I am curious about the law.
Jeff

[tonyrec]

It was i that posted about the brake lights etc.
The reason that i brought this up was because i now have an auto Volvo XC90. It has rather large brake lights at the back and ive got the problem of standing on the pedal whilst at ATS etc.

It is an offence to basically cause discomfort to anyone with your lights and technically it is an offence.

Cant imagine getting processed for it but i do feel guilty when someone is behind me and its dark.

[zumbruk]

Instead, just frighten the poo out of them when your reversing lights come on as you put it in neutral

[bobthebench]

Offence is to cause undue dazzle. Suspect Road safety would come before slight inconvenience, so no offence. Plod can threaten charges or even proceed with them, but simply sitting at traffic lights with foot on the brake is very unlikely to attract attention of CPS, far less ever see the light of day in court unless there is a lot more to it.

[jeff m]

Thanks, I must have misinterpreted the other post.
So not putting on the handbrake is not an offence.

I doubt there is a road safety issue with the dazzling lights when all the cars are stationary.

Probably not enforcable anyway, a simple statement that your handbrake was on followed by, oh my foot was resting on the brake pedal too! would quell any posibility of a conviction. (the reason I thought is was strange legislation)

Jeff

[Mr2Mike]

I don't care either way during the day, but at night it really can be quite uncomfortable with the extremely bright lights that newer cars seem to have. Perhaps it's down to the retinal burns caused by countless tossers driving around on main beam and fogs despite dozens of cars flashing them?

Someone commented about reversing lights comming on on autos as you change to park etc. This shouldn't happen on any modern auto that I know of, the reverse light is delayed specificaly to prevent this.

[tonyrec]

bobthebench said:

Offence is to cause undue dazzle. Suspect Road safety would come before slight inconvenience, so no offence. Plod can threaten charges or even proceed with them, but simply sitting at traffic lights with foot on the brake is very unlikely to attract attention of CPS, far less ever see the light of day in court unless there is a lot more to it.

Dealt with by way of an Non Endorsable Ticket..but only for the bad ones...(and there are a few of those around)

[g_attrill]

This does bother me and I am a "guily" one.

I drive two automatics - one with column shift and foot "emergency brake" and the other a normal centre-stick automatic and hand brake.

I usually only put them into neutral at night and at lights I know the timing of. Looking in the rear view mirror gives you an idea of how annoying your lights are!

I usually put them into neutral and apply the hand brake, but once in the Camaro I pushed the lever the wrong way (after not driving it for a while!) and shot back a bit. Luckily the car behind was quite far away and I was quick with the brakes! Red face there....

Gareth

[sb-1]

tonyrec said:

It was i that posted about the brake lights etc. The reason that i brought this up was because i now have an auto Volvo XC90. It has rather large brake lights at the back and ive got the problem of standing on the pedal whilst at ATS etc. It is an offence to basically cause discomfort to anyone with your lights and technically it is an offence. Cant imagine getting processed for it but i do feel guilty when someone is behind me and its dark.

Tony,
I have this problem in the Cayenne....the parking brake is via a pedal,as per Merc...can't really put that on and off at the lights!
Steve

[hughesie2]

I always keep my foot on the brake at ATS, especially if there is suitable totty behind...

[LotusSE89]

You guys are kidding me!

Why the hell would't you leave your foot on the brake at a light? Just incase you wanted someone to think that you were NOT stopped and ram into you from behind??????

This is what brake light are for, to let people know that you are stopped or stopping.

Would you disable your brake lights to keep from dazzling the drivers behind you?

Obviously Lotus doesn't worry about this because they place the handbrake so far forward that you have to lean against the steering wheel to engage it. Not a very safe thing to do in traffic since you have to take your eyes off the road.

[agent006]

LotusSE89 said:

Why the hell would't you leave your foot on the brake at a light? Just incase you wanted someone to think that you were NOT stopped and ram into you from behind?????? This is what brake light are for, to let people know that you are stopped or stopping.

Yes, but once they've stopped behind you, there's no need to tell them you're stopped.

Also, if you do get stuffed up the arse at the lights, having hte handbrake on will stop you being punted quite so far forwrds into the junciton. There's no way you'll keep your foot on the brake.

[jacko lah]

jeff m said:

I know the main gripe of people is the bright lights bother them. I am curious about the law.

If the police start enforcing things like this, then people with 9 serious sexual allegations on their file will be allowed to work in schools.

On Monday Morning Bint in Smart Car with Rear Fogs and Brake lights was sitting in front of me at the Traffic Lights. To say that I now need glasses would be a lie.

It was a little foggy at 7 am, although I could see the bend in the road about 1/3 mile ahead and I quite easily saw the tractor with no rear lights as it turned right into my path. I put my hand brake on and put car in Neutral because if someone hits me from behind my foot will come off the brake and the clutch.

[TT Tim]

Okay then, it struck me years ago when they started to introdice 'idiot' lights AKA Hi-visibility brake lights, that the time when they are really useful and justified are at speeds above 30mph, where the added luminescence of the third brake light would be benificial, on motorways perhaps. So, maybe this is a simplified view but why not make them speed linked, if Porsche can do it for the rear wing why not have the hi-vis only working above speeds of 30mph.

Simple!

Tim

[xxxxxxrich]

TT Tim said:

, that the time when they are really useful and justified are at speeds above 30mph, where the added luminescence of the third brake light would be benificial, on motorways perhaps. So, maybe this is a simplified view but why not make them speed linked

Great idea! I also saw one that flashed several times then stayed on. I thought that was good as it realy stood out.
Another Idea, as most of them Hi Level ones are LED's how about diming them after the car has reached 0MPH. I'm sure as most cars these days have some sort of Onboard computer it would be possable.

[scaff]

xxxxxxrich said:

TT Tim said: , that the time when they are really useful and justified are at speeds above 30mph, where the added luminescence of the third brake light would be benificial, on motorways perhaps. So, maybe this is a simplified view but why not make them speed linked Great idea! I also saw one that flashed several times then stayed on. I thought that was good as it realy stood out. Another Idea, as most of them Hi Level ones are LED's how about diming them after the car has reached 0MPH. I'm sure as most cars these days have some sort of Onboard computer it would be possable.

New BMW's have brake lights that increase in brightness the harder you press the brake pedal. Trouble is they don't meet EU homolgation requirements so they can't be activated, aparently they are looking at ways of getting around the legislation (don't hold your breath), but if they do it should help out. Apparently recent 3-series and the new 5-series already have them fitted, just not activated, so in theory a BMW dealer could activate them.

[5ltr-chim]

From my understanding you should :

handbrake on and remain in drive on Automatics

handbrake on and neutral on a manual.

If someone shunts you from behind the first reaction is a self defence instinct and that means you retract i.e. lift hands and feet, therefore remove pressure from pedals anyway.

[anonymous-user]

scaff said:

New BMW's have brake lights that increase in brightness the harder you press the brake pedal. Trouble is they don't meet EU homolgation requirements so they can't be activated, aparently they are looking at ways of getting around the legislation (don't hold your breath), but if they do it should help out. Apparently recent 3-series and the new 5-series already have them fitted, just not activated, so in theory a BMW dealer could activate them.

Autocar reported recently (within the past week or 3) that homologation has been approved. As stated, recent cars have the kit it's just switched off - this will be switched on during routine servicing.

[alarmist]

hi is there any official offence here , as ive just had a 11 month claim come back and bite me,. basically wife pulls up in a line of vehicles waiting for road works, nothing out of ordinary, she puts our people carrier in park and puts handbrake on. 30 seconds to a minute later single decker bus comes round corner and hit the rear.(corner is open and sweeping)result galaxy pushed forward into kerb narrowly missing vehicle in front. damage to rear of vehicle and autobox messed up, . auto specialist had to strip out box and rebuild and garage did repairs. solicitors are now saying that although liability was addmited by third party, now the third party wont pay claim for box,and advising we may have proceed privately against insurance, to recover monies paid for box repair, on the basis that, the concessus of opinion is when you stop at lights, you put the vehicle in neutral, and keep your foot on the brake.we are arguing that had my wife done that she would have hit the vehicle in front. any views

[cortinaman]

well as far as i see it the damage to your gearbox was a result of the crash,therefore this should be repaired under the claim.

do you have legal assistance in with your policy,if you have i would seriously use it if i was you.