emergency brake

American  

noun

1. Also called parking brake.  a special brake used to prevent a motor vehicle from rolling after it has stopped or been parked.

2. any brake meant to stop a vehicle in an emergency.

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Etymology

Origin of emergency brake

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The Northeast Frontier Railway says the train driver spotted dozens of elephants and used the emergency brakes - but some animals were still hit.

From BBC

"The loco pilot, on observing the herd of elephants, applied emergency brakes. However, elephants dashed with the train," he said.

From Barron's

After seeing Jaiden start to cross the railway, the driver sounded the horn and applied the emergency brake.

From BBC

The emergency brake system, which the driver correctly tried to apply when the cable snapped, did not function properly and was never tested in advance, the report said.

From BBC

The brakeman tried to apply emergency brakes but failed to prevent the derailment, The cause of the crash remains unknown.

From BBC