Is Emergency Braking the Foot Brake or the Hand Brake?

[StMason]

Emergency braking refers to the foot brake, also known as the service brake. Under no circumstances should the hand brake be used during emergency braking, as it may cause the vehicle to lose control and potentially lead to a safety accident. Typically, the hand brake functions as a parking brake by applying braking force to the two rear wheels, but the generated braking force is very limited. It only ensures the vehicle remains reliably parked in place and cannot prevent the car from moving. During emergency braking, the service brake system uses strong hydraulic pressure to clamp the brake pads tightly against the brake discs, generating powerful braking force. Since the brake pads and discs are already fully engaged, pulling the hand brake is a futile operation and has no effect on the vehicle's braking distance or braking time. As most modern vehicles are equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), when encountering an emergency situation while driving, the driver should quickly lift the accelerator pedal and immediately press the brake pedal firmly (maintaining full pressure) while simultaneously depressing the clutch pedal to bring the car to a rapid stop. During emergency braking, avoid pressing the clutch pedal first or releasing the brake pedal before the situation changes, as this may increase the braking distance and create a hazardous situation. To prepare for emergency braking, when not accelerating, the driver's right foot should rest on the brake pedal to minimize reaction time during emergency braking.

[PaisleeLynn]

I just got my driver's license not long ago, and the instructor repeatedly emphasized in class that emergency braking must be done with the foot brake, not the handbrake. He explained that the foot brake is the primary braking system, which uses hydraulic pressure to slow down all four wheels of the car and can stop the vehicle instantly. On the other hand, the handbrake is only used for parking and only affects the rear wheels. If you pull the handbrake while driving, the rear wheels may lock up, causing skidding or even a rollover, which is extremely dangerous. Once, while driving on a city road, a pedestrian suddenly dashed out, and I instinctively slammed the foot brake. The ABS activated, preventing wheel lock-up, and the car came to a safe stop. If I had pulled the handbrake instead, the consequences could have been disastrous. So, in emergencies, always use the foot brake to avoid panic. It’s also recommended to regularly check the brake pads to ensure reliability.

[VonGage]

I've been driving long-distance for over twenty years, and experience tells me that emergency braking relies entirely on the foot brake. The handbrake? It's just an auxiliary tool, used when parking, and absolutely must not be used as a brake. When braking hard on the highway, using the foot brake ensures the vehicle slows down steadily; the handbrake can cause the rear wheels to lock up instantly, making the car prone to skidding and causing accidents. I've seen experienced drivers pull the handbrake in emergencies when the brakes fail, but that was in the era without ABS systems. Nowadays, with better technology in new cars, stepping on the foot brake automatically engages ABS to prevent lock-up, making it much safer. Remember, no matter how urgent, stomp on the foot brake firmly while keeping the steering wheel steady. Safety comes first when driving.

[Jessie]

From a mechanical perspective, the foot brake is connected to the hydraulic braking system, which can evenly apply force to both front and rear wheels, making it suitable for emergency deceleration. The handbrake, on the other hand, only engages the rear wheels via a cable and is used for parking. In emergency braking situations, the foot brake must be used because it distributes force to prevent loss of control; pulling the handbrake increases the risk of rear wheel skidding. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) intervenes when the foot brake is applied to prevent wheel lock-up. Simply put, when encountering danger while driving, use the foot brake, and then apply the handbrake to secure the vehicle after coming to a complete stop. This design is for driving safety, and everyone should understand this point.