Way off topic, but I agree. Also, it is a safety risk - with the
handbrake off, a car which is rear-end shunted is much more likely to go
into the car in front of it as well, as the shock will cause the driver to
release the footbrake. Even worse, if said driver is at the front they
could be shunted into the path of oncoming traffic, making an already
unpleasant accident even worse.

I have been told that autos are less likely to be rear ended for the simple
reason that as they keep the foot brake on, the rear of the car is illuminated
and thus less likely to be hit.