The only time that I used the handbrake as an emergency brake was when my altenator went bad & I had to drive 45 miles home on battery juice. I used the handbrake as much as possible so my brakelights wouldn't come on & waste the limited supply I had (& no radio or A/C). Most of the trip was in bumper 2 bumper traffic so it was significant. It worked & I made it but it was a nerve wracking drive.