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Why do you say that it is dangerous for automatic drivers not to left-foot brake?

I very much enjoy your expert advice but must take issue with your stance on left-foot braking in an auto car. You suggest that we should use two feet for two pedals. How many feet should we use in a manual with three pedals? I have driven an automatic 4x4 for 20 years and also have a couple of manual Jaguar classics. I only use one foot with the auto and have never had a problem. If you want to stop, you take your right foot off the accelerator and put it on the brake. What's so hard or dangerous about that?

There are two ways to skin this cat and you make no mention of newcomers to an auto slamming their left foot on the brake, thinking it's the clutch, and causing a rear-ending. I know of this happening twice and have never heard of anyone having a problem in an auto if they keep their left foot firmly planted on the floor.

Asked on 13 November 2010 by CA, Brackley

Answered by Honest John
An expert brakes a manual with right or left foot as circumstances dictate. Take a ride with Hannu Mikkola some time. But we can't all be experts. So if you cannot learn to left-foot brake (and swap to right-foot braking for manuals) out on the open road, stick only to left-foot braking your automatic when manoeuvring, when on your driveway, and particularly just after starting your engine. That's when they are most likely to "go out of control". But they can't go out of control if you have your left foot on the brake.

As it is around 100 people, usually wives, husbands or children of the driver, die every year from "out of control" automatics which the driver has tried to drive with only one foot. These drivers usually try to blame the car rather than themselves.
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