Defeetist - auto left-foot braking
Another visit to the auto left foot braking issue. Last week I read that in a test it was proven that a driver using left foot braking brought the car to a standstill in a shorter distance than a right foot braker. Well of course they did. In a test, one expects to have to brake suddenly so the left foot braker can hover his left foot close to or over the brake pedal. The right foot braker cannot do so. Too busy with the accelerator.
So, when the need to stop arises, the left foot braker gets his foot to the brake pedal faster - presto, shorter stopping distance. In the real world, though, things are not like that. The left foot braker will have his left foot on the floor or footrest so that when the need to brake suddenly arises, he has to move his foot through exactly the same arc and distance as the right foot braker.
All other things being equal, there will be little or no difference in reaction time or stopping distance.
So, when the need to stop arises, the left foot braker gets his foot to the brake pedal faster - presto, shorter stopping distance. In the real world, though, things are not like that. The left foot braker will have his left foot on the floor or footrest so that when the need to brake suddenly arises, he has to move his foot through exactly the same arc and distance as the right foot braker.
All other things being equal, there will be little or no difference in reaction time or stopping distance.
Asked on 19 September 2010 by CR, Northampton
Answered by
Honest John
Your own argument proves my point, The reason to left foot brake is so you can stop a car much more quickly in an emergency. Such emergencies might occur when manoeuvring or when driving in a village, town or city where pedestrians might suddenly step out in front of your car.
The secondary reason is to have greater control over the car either when driving quickly or when chauffeuring someone smoothly. In either situation you would have your left foot over the brake. Driving with your left foot resting on a footrest is just as sloppy and dangerous as driving solely with your right foot.
The secondary reason is to have greater control over the car either when driving quickly or when chauffeuring someone smoothly. In either situation you would have your left foot over the brake. Driving with your left foot resting on a footrest is just as sloppy and dangerous as driving solely with your right foot.
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left-foot braking
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