It's been a while, but.
The speed brake is extended by the pilot on short final, usually about 50' or so.
The 146/RJ doesn't have speed brakes on the wings. It has spoilers for roll control in flight and lift dumpers on landing, but they don't extend airborne for speed braking.
Not difficult to fly with the speed brake extended.
The 146 speed brake is very effective as a speed brake, far more so than the spoilers on a B717.