Because..

In my old 1964 VW sedan when the single circuit master cylinder blew out a
seal coming to a stop, thus creating an emergency, the hand brake (parking
or emergency or the name-of-the-day for it braking system got me stopped
safely. I drove it home that way too.

My '67 Sunbeam Alpine has one too (and sometimes needs it).

Emergency brakes; they are not just for parking anymore. (Yes, you DO have
to know how to use it).

It will always be an emergency brake to me.

Dave

On 10/29/07, Andrew Grebneff <andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz> wrote:
>
> >Why do folk in the US call it an "emergency" brake" It's for parking
> >ie a parking brake, or if hand-operated (as is normal) a handbrake
> >
> >
> >I guess because in the event of a total loss of brake fluid, and
> >therefore all braking power, it could be used to stop/slow the
> >vehicle since it's mechanical. Unlikely, but possible.   Jeff
>
> Especially with an underdash T-handle you might well end up
> spinningif you yank on it and then can't get it to release cleanly
> (as is not uncommon with this setup). At least a pull-up lever as in
> most Japanese cars and T3s can be easily modulated.
>
>
> Um... hydraulic brakes are mechanical to... as are pneumatic.
>