IB of New Milton referred to electric handbrakes. They may be more efficient as a ‘parking brake’ but, at a stroke, car manufacturers are disposing of a vital handbrake function: its use as an ‘emergency brake’. I know of at least three cases, including that of a personal friend, where the main braking systems have totally failed. Could somebody please explain how drivers are supposed to slow down the car with a button parking brake as opposed to a conventional one?

In one case, a very experienced amateur rally driver knew that his brakes had failed on a dual carriageway on the approach to a roundabout. He also knew that the electric brake would be useless or could make the situation even more dangerous if applied. He ended up deliberately grazing another vehicle to try to slow his speed, but it did not work. He suffered a broken back and will probably never work again. His wife and child also suffered injuries. The police initially charged him with dangerous driving but later dropped all charges.

I am sure that it will be pointed out that complete brake failure is a very rare occurrence on modern cars. That may be so, but do you want to be driving a car with a button handbrake when brake failure occurs?