[Darksheare]

And throwing on the hand brake would only slow it down for a few seconds until the engine overpowered the hand brake and made them emit sparks and flame.

[meyer]

And throwing on the hand brake would only slow it down for a few seconds until the engine overpowered the hand brake and made them emit sparks and flame.

yes - the e-brake is generally good for holding a car on a hill or gently stopping in an emergency. It would be inadequate against any decent sized engine at full throttle.

I was at the Ford dealer the other day, and noticed that the newest version of the Escape (I have a 2013) didn't seem to have an e-brake lever, but something that looked like a switch type thing on the center console. That would imply that even the e-brake might be fly-by-wire now.

[TennesseeGirl]

"And throwing on the hand brake would only slow it down for a few seconds until the engine overpowered the hand brake and made them emit sparks and flame".

Or, simply shift the automatic transmission into Neutral; then brake. Unless the gearshift is locked up, anytime a car speeds out of control simply shift an automatic or manual into Neutral - the engine will still be racing, but at least the vehicle's stoppable. We're spoiled by driving automatics only. People have forgotten they have the ultimate control to shift into Neutral.