Defeeted
A recent discussion with some friends concerning left foot braking in an automatic prompted me to write this e-mail. I have driven automatics for around 25 years and when I hire a car, I always hire an automatic. I brake with my right foot. Without exception, with every automatic I have driven, my left foot (on the foot rest) is further away from the brake pedal than my right foot (on the accelerator). Also what is the difference between braking with the right foot in an automatic and in a car with manual transmission?
Asked on 3 July 2010 by MP, Gailingen, Germany
Answered by
Honest John
One day while manoeuvring, when the engine revs just a little bit more than you expect and you can't get your right foot up off the accelerator and down onto the brake, or if you miss the brake and catch the accelerator with your right foot instead, you will at least damage the car and at worst kill someone. Sadly, when this happens, the driver usually kills someone very dear to him or her. Just bear that in mind. (Co-ordinated drivers brake with either their right foot or their left foot whether driving manuals or automatics, depending on what they want the car to do, but that requires more skill than simply left foot braking an automatic in a manoeuvring situation.) Full explanation at: www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/driving-automatics-safely
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