An Australian musician living in the United States has ignited a lively online discussion by highlighting a fundamental difference in driving etiquette that Britons and Aussies alike will find startling. Singer-songwriter G Flip, who uses they/them pronouns, pointed out that American drivers frequently bypass a common safety practice standard in many other countries: using the handbrake.
The Great Handbrake Divide
In a viral video, G Flip expressed their bewilderment, stating, 'I'm an Aussie living in the US and one of the things I find drastically different about the two is driving.' They elaborated, noting that in Australia, applying the handbrake is second nature during every parking manoeuvre, whether on a hill or a flat supermarket car park. This habit is ingrained from the very beginning, as passing the Australian driver's test requires demonstrating the use of the parking brake.
The revelation left many Australians and Brits in a state of shock online. One commenter exclaimed, 'What do you mean they don't use handbrakes?!' while another shared, 'How do people not use their handbrake to park, that's blowing my Aussie mind.'
American Drivers Explain Their Reasoning
The response from American drivers was just as revealing. Many confessed to rarely, if ever, using the feature. One individual admitted, 'I don't know where my handbrake is,' and another claimed, 'I'm 38 and have never once used a handbrake.' The primary reason given revolves around the prevalence of automatic transmissions in the US; drivers there largely trust that shifting the gear selector into 'Park' is a more secure method than engaging the handbrake.
This custom isn't unique to the United States. Canadians also joined the conversation, with one person sharing, 'I'm a Canadian in Australia and my Aussie partner is always putting the brake on and I never do, we don't really use it in Canada either unless we're on a hill.'
More Than Just Handbrakes: A Culture of Driving Differences
G Flip, who moved to the US after marrying former Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause, didn't stop at handbrakes. They highlighted several other cultural shocks on American roads. One major point was the apparent laxity around seatbelt usage, which they attributed to different policing priorities in a country with higher crime rates and gun ownership.
Furthermore, the musician was stunned by the scarcity of speed limit signs, describing American freeway driving as akin to 'Grand Theft Auto' where motorists change lanes aggressively and 'go rogue.' Another significant difference is the rule allowing drivers to turn right on a red light, a manoeuvre that is illegal in Australia and the UK, leading to impatient honking from those behind if not executed.
Finally, G Flip noted the reversed process for refuelling. In Australia and the UK, drivers typically fill their tank first and then pay, operating on a system of trust. In America, however, payment is required upfront before the petrol pump is activated, a practice that underscores a different approach to consumer transactions.
