Handbrake or Brake hold?

[Jocko]

Despite having a cataract in one eye I have never found the brake lights of the cars in front dazzling or annoying. Having said that, I still apply the handbrake and take my foot off the footbrake when stopped in traffic.

[peteo48]

I'm with you Jocko. Genuinely don't see what the fuss is about. Some modern headlights, although clearly affording excellent vision, are much much worse for oncoming drivers even when dipped. I realise that's a different scenario but I haven't seen many complaints about these.

I've never had a problem with brake lights on the car in front.

[Jazzik]

I'm with you Jocko. Genuinely don't see what the fuss is about.
.../...
I've never had a problem with brake lights on the car in front.

Me neither...

[shufty]

...Some can be dazzling, depending on height. ALL are annoying though 

[ColinB]

Some modern headlights, although clearly affording excellent vision, are much much worse for oncoming drivers even when dipped. I realise that's a different scenario but I haven't seen many complaints about these..

Really?
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/news/motoring-news/nearly-one-in-four-drivers-think-most-car-headlights-are-too-bright/

As for the brake-lights-on-all-the-time issue, I don’t think I said it was a problem for me, it can be easily mitigated by leaving a larger gap. The point I was trying to make is that it’s discourteous to other drivers to shine bright lights at them unnecessarily when it’s easily avoided by using the parking brake.

[Kremmen]

Same here, I leave a cars length gap, especially at night when it's more annoying.

Although leaving a gap is advisable anyway in case any vehicle in front breaks down so you can pull out without having to reverse first.

[mitchelln]

Fun fact. On all JDM cars, it is a legal requirement in Japan for the brake light to operate even with the ignition off. Yet the have no fog light requirement.

[Jocko]

It is surprising how many vehicles do have the brake lights operative without the ignition on. My Volvo S40 did and the Citroen Berlingo vans I used to drive did.

[Kremmen]

I can't remember any previous car that didn't.

Fun fact 2 : A lot of US cars have or had wipers that work with the ignition off - for drive in movies.

[Lord Voltermore]

Fun fact 3.  My corsa would set parking lights  if you press down the indicator stalk while the ignition is off. One at front, one at rear, either left or right. 
More than once I accidently knocked the stalk with my knee when getting out and could have flattened my battery had I not noticed.

Anyone remember those little parking lights that   clipped on a side window. A single bulb doing front and rear.  I think its still a legal requirement on some roads to display lights  and be on the correct side of the road, when parked in darkness.  Many people dont bother.
Can you even do it on the Jazz.  If you are able to leave the position lights on they would flatten the 12v battery pdq. 

[Kremmen]

Try using those window parking lights now ...... flat battery by the morning.

Batteries do seem to be going backwards.

[Mellorshark]

Why is it "or". I use brake hold and apply parking brake if anything comes up behind.

As Colin B mentions in his post before you, it is about being considerate to the driver behind you and not dazzling them with your brake lights. If you use brake hold, they're on... even if you then apply the handbrake, the break hold is still on and brake lights illuminated.

Not in my EX.

[Neil Ives]

My corsa would set parking lights  if you press down the indicator stalk while the ignition is off. One at front, one at rear, either left or right. 

Anyone remember those little parking lights that   clipped on a side window. A single bulb doing front and rear.

I've discovered that VW's had/have the indicator stalk parking light function.

I remember my father putting one of those clip on parking lights on his Ford Consul.

[Jocko]

We used to use one of those clip-on parking lights, and yes the battery was flat in the morning. Luckily we lived on a hill so my Dad would bump start the car in the morning. The police regularly came to the door if it wasn't lit. When my Dad was back shift he would tell my Mum to leave it until he came home and if the police came to the door to say she had been told to put it on but forgot!
Later when we had our Prefect I fitted a permanent one on the front wing. You can just make it out above the trim line and a bit behind the wing mirror.

[Lord Voltermore]

A better defence might be , "tell me Officer, what colour was  this alleged unlit car?"  Or "Are you harassing me because I am a Lag ? "       That number plate would probably be worth a few Bob now.