Footsure

I could not disagree more with HJ’s opinion that autos should be driven two-footed. I and my wife have driven autos since converting from gears sixteen years ago. We drive home and abroad. Driving a geared car one's left foot deals just with the clutch, while the right foot deals with accelerator and brake. I hazard a guess that problems arise when a driver somehow moves their seating position and sticks their right foot out on to the wrong pedal.

Asked on 26 June 2010 by RW, via email

Answered by Honest John

One day 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.

Tags: left-foot braking driving driving techniques

Similar questions

No connection

Your response to PB's letter on 19 June states that "in an automatic, left-foot braking is the only way to remain in full control of the vehicle at all times". As we manual drivers brake with our right...

Feetal position

I actually know an automatic right foot only driver. Although she didn't kill or injure anyone, she managed to create mayhem and damage six other cars in the Co-op Supermarket car park in Penistone, W....

Feetal position

With regard to using your left foot to brake an automatic, this will probably only work if someone uses the method from their introduction to driving and never drives anything but an auto. Otherwise, it'll...