True, but unfortunately the idiotic electronic parking brake seems to fall within the rules.

These devices are an answer to a problem that doesn't exist, are potentially dangerous when coupled with a manual gearbox, and can fail expensively. Although some people get used to them, there was nothing wrong with the mechanical handbrake in the first place.

Fortunately for you and me, 659, Skoda haven't yet gone down this route as have some VWs and Audis.

I'm not driving at the fact handbrakes are now electonic. The lack of handbrake useage knowledge is much more noticeable in winter, or when it's dark and when it's raining. Most guilty drivers haven't a clue what a handbrake is for, or are too thick or inconsiderate to know.

Re. driving tests - I thought the rules said you cannot take your test in a car fitted with just an electric parking brake.

I thought C & U regulations state that a vehicle must have at least one MECHANICAL form of braking - e.g. handbrake, as well as mechanical sterring - hence power-assisted steering is commonplace but drive-by-wire or full power steering (e.g. hydrostatic) is not permitted for road vehicles, except farm tractors or JCB's etc.

Edited by Sofa Spud on 03/03/2011 at 11:33

Electronic, "automatic" parking brakes (which all seem to work according to different criteria) are part of a larger conspiracy to dumb down all human processes and remove the driver's input from the driving process. A 21st century driver is now utterly pampered in a car where you don't need to change gear, brake in an emergency, maintain a safe distance, observe speed limit signs, keep within your lane markings, check your blind spot, hill start, reverse park, normal park, switch on your wipers or lights or even navigate your way round a new town, as there are machines, screens, beeps, lights and whistles to do it all for you.

There is, however, some fantastically useful technology which complements rather than replaces the driver's intelligence, and amongst these I would include tyre pressure sensors, reminders for seat belts and servicing schedules, bulb failure warnings, the almost ubiquitous "flick once for three flashes" feature on indicators and a few others. If basic cars could include all of these and a few more, then I think we could say that some real progress is being made. The other "extras" I would include are a clear visual warning that dipped beam is ON or OFF and mandatory oil level, coolant and screenwash level reminders.

Any more suggestions for "good technology" ?