Should the Handbrake Be Applied When in Neutral Gear?

[Sylvia]

Whether to apply the handbrake when in neutral gear depends on the situation. On level ground, it is generally not necessary to apply the handbrake. However, in practice, it is recommended to always apply the handbrake when shifting to neutral gear. The reasons are: 1. Visual assessment may not always be accurate; 2. The car may move due to external forces (objective factors). Even if the ground is confirmed to be level and the car won't roll, it's difficult to guarantee that the car won't be subjected to external forces. For example, in the event of a rear-end collision, the vehicle may still move if the handbrake is not applied. Applying the handbrake can prevent the vehicle from sliding or rolling. In real-world scenarios, it's important to respond flexibly based on the actual situation. For instance, when waiting at a traffic light that is about to turn green in a few seconds, there's no need to apply the handbrake—simply keeping the foot on the brake pedal is sufficient. Once the light turns green, pressing the accelerator allows for a quick and easy start.