[Unable to edit post so adding] I also understand that braking with the left foot results in a UK driving test fail. How can this practice be advocated by anyone given that context?

I have driven automatics for at least 20 years and regularly left foot brake. It is very beneficial when manoeuvering the car in tight spots, especially on driveways with a steep incline (my driveway) and also you react to situation much faster if your left foot is already over the brake pedal rather than having to take your right foot off the accelarator and move it over to the brake pedal.

It is not a case of I should not be driving, it is a case of a good driver knowing the best procedure for each situation.

If your father is hitting his car all the time, then it is time to stop him driving, not criticise others for driving in a safe manner you do not like. No-one criticises my driving with left foot braking - and Lord knows my family have a go at me for everything else.....

We've had this discussion on here only a few weeks ago, so I hope we don't have to go through it all over again.

HJ is an advocate of left foot braking (LFB), and it makes perfect sense for people who always drive automatics, as it becomes a natural reaction leading to quicker braking. Personally I don't do LFB as (because SWMBO doesn't like automatics) we always have one manual car in the family, and I think it's important (for me anyway) not to have more than one instinctive way of reacting in an emergency.

I agree with you, David, that LFB is not something to take up in old age. But for those who can do it instinctively it has advantages.

Edited by Avant on 03/07/2016 at 01:38

I believe HJ chiefly advocates the use of LFB while doing low-speed manoeuvers (parking, turning in confined spaces etc) to counteract an auto's natural 'creeping' when in drive / reverse.

I don't believe he's trying to turn the UK into a nation of rally drivers.

Personally, I drive cars with manual boxes, but on the rare occasions I've driven an autobox car, I do use LFB for low speed shuffling. IIn fact, when I rented a Jensen Interceptor a couple of years back, it was necessary. That 7.2 litre motor generates a LOT of torque, even at idle speeds, so a gentle massage of the brake pedal was needed to keep it in check. It's not difficult or dangerous.

Always willing to learn something, when I read HJ's recommendation I did try LFB in my own slushbox car. Like many I suspect, I just couldn't train my left leg to be gentle enough for "routine" braking, and instinct took over for RFB in unexpected circumstances. However I have tried to persist with it for low speed manoeuvring, rather than what I had been doing previously which was to always have the handbrake "in hand" (not that you can do that if cursed by an electronic handbrake). LFB is also useful for keeping the revs higher as you drive through floods and for occasions when you are enjoying a 'spirited' drive on a twisty road, i.e. when you are braking to a halt. But for normal driving, I will stick with RFB. I drive hire cars for work which invariably are manuals as is the car of SWMBO, so I feel for me, it's a bit of LFB and RFB.

David - as you can see, people disagree on this one and we just have to respect each other's views.

But I think we'll probably all agree that for your father to change his driving habits in his 80s is a bad idea. He might have changed to LFB when he first had an automatic, 10 years ago; but as your experience as a passenger proves, it isn't working for him now. Maybe if possible you need to say you won't go in his car unless he thinks again.