The OP's simple question was answered within the first handful of responses. Not sure why folks have continually felt the need to lecture a grown man on what they feel is unsafe.
Because any one of use could be on the receiving end of an unsafe, out of control vehicle.
During a hydraulic brake failure, twisting the handle of the e-brake and pulling it back without engaging the rachet could be the difference between somebody dying or not. It could be the driver, but it could be some innocent other person (and usually is).
