General Discussion

tech3149

(4,452 posts)

74. Left foot braking is commonly taught in performance driving classes

Reply to yortsed snacilbuper (Original post)

Fri Apr 10, 2015, 03:11 PM

Apr 2015

It doesn't just reduce reaction time to effective action but provides a tool for adjusting handling based on the the effect of transferring weight to aid steering. I have spent my whole working life on the public roads and an avid motorsport enthusiast so any tool that can be used to reduce the occurrence or severity of accidents has my support.
If you drive a manual you probably already have a dead pedal to the left of the clutch. If you don't, you should add one and be using it to pivot your left foot between the two. The same can be done with an automatic.
I haven't bought an automatic since 1977 but have had to drive them far too often. I always initiated braking with my left foot.
I've been both a "balls to the walls" driver and a safety nazi and from both sides I say the same thing. Learn to drive and learn to do it safe and well. If you do it safe you might save my life and if you do it well you might provide a helluva race.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

119 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Why More Drivers Should Brake With Their Left Foot! [View all] yortsed snacilbuper Apr 2015 OP

I already do. janlyn Apr 2015 #1

Can't look sereral cars ahead of you if you are driving a sedan question everything Apr 2015 #52

yeah, I have a Camry. janlyn Apr 2015 #92

I agree with this. I have used my left foot to brake since .. misterhighwasted Apr 2015 #2

Not in a car with a clutch, for pete's sake. MineralMan Apr 2015 #3

We have two cars--one standard, one automatic Maeve Apr 2015 #21

I do, too. My Kia Soul has a manual transmission, and the MineralMan Apr 2015 #24

What's "brake riding? Thanks (nt) question everything Apr 2015 #54

Driving with your left foot on the brake pedal. MineralMan Apr 2015 #56

Interesting. Only yesterday a local TV report question everything Apr 2015 #63

Could be. If they're not paying attention, then MineralMan Apr 2015 #65

I disagree with it too. LuvNewcastle Apr 2015 #29

If people brake with their left foot, MineralMan Apr 2015 #32

Having been a 2naSalit Apr 2015 #73

Not mentioned, as I have read so far here, is the fact that in an emergency situation, -none Apr 2015 #83

break the brake freeserve Apr 2015 #57

Same here but then I learned to drive in a car with malaise Apr 2015 #104

Brought to you by... 99Forever Apr 2015 #4

That's what I was thinking, too. WillowTree Apr 2015 #15

More likely just an idiot blogger... Frank Cannon Apr 2015 #115

Thank you a thousand time over 4Q2u2 Apr 2015 #5

The problem is brake riding. Xithras Apr 2015 #6

+1000 Blue_Tires Apr 2015 #10

My Mother-in-law does that: Drives with a foot on the brake and gas, brake lights always on. FSogol Apr 2015 #11

I brake left, do not "ride" Skittles Apr 2015 #12

I'm just wondering? CANDO Apr 2015 #81

sometimes I heel it to the left; sometimes I hover Skittles Apr 2015 #82

My mom does that and ruins every car she's owned eissa Apr 2015 #20

Ruin a car? JustABozoOnThisBus Apr 2015 #96

And if they're not riding, pintobean Apr 2015 #23

Also confuses the driver behind you Sanity Claws Apr 2015 #102

Right on. rickford66 Apr 2015 #110

Right foot braking is a dinosaur left over from the days of manual Cleita Apr 2015 #7

manual transmissions are still manufactured.. frylock Apr 2015 #16

I didn't say they weren't. Most people today don't use them nor Cleita Apr 2015 #19

Good. Less chance for my vehicles to be stolen or borrowed. rickford66 Apr 2015 #106

Many of us prefer manual to automatic transmissions... S_B_Jackson Apr 2015 #17

They are a bitch for stop and go city driving so most urban people Cleita Apr 2015 #22

no kidding... KatyMan Apr 2015 #60

Really, they're not. I've driven both, and it doesn't make MineralMan Apr 2015 #68

".....driving because no cruise control." EX500rider Apr 2015 #72

It's more economical in stop & go Warpy Apr 2015 #103

Any stats back that up? Logical Apr 2015 #107

My manual trans vehicles have cruise control. rickford66 Apr 2015 #112

I used a stick when I was younger... Adrahil Apr 2015 #117

I still have a standard transmission, and they're MineralMan Apr 2015 #18

Well good for you for being the rare person you are. Cleita Apr 2015 #25

I'm not as rare as you think. MineralMan Apr 2015 #27

Some women have to look stylish for their jobs and high heeled shoes Cleita Apr 2015 #34

Some women do that. Not all. MineralMan Apr 2015 #41

So is drinking a can of beer but some people still do it. Cleita Apr 2015 #46

I understand that buying a manual will cost more then yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #44

No, you're incorrect. Choosing a manual transmission saved me $500 MineralMan Apr 2015 #49

Strange because a friend of mine bought a Toyota yeoman6987 Apr 2015 #50

I have no idea what cars were being compared or what MineralMan Apr 2015 #53

Sometimes it depends on the manufacturer Rob H. Apr 2015 #87

Manual's usually cheaper to buy new but you take a big hit on the resale value. Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2015 #61

That depends on the car. MineralMan Apr 2015 #66

Yes, many bad drivers prefer inferior cars. LeftyMom Apr 2015 #28

Huh? Cleita Apr 2015 #38

But that's a good reason not to do it kcr Apr 2015 #85

I can actually agree with both POVs. I use my right foot to brake because Cleita Apr 2015 #90

Always have from the start. L0oniX Apr 2015 #8

I have always braked with my left foot Skittles Apr 2015 #9

Can you switch to right foot breaking in the event of an emergency ass-kicking? Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2015 #64

Done right: Yes. Done wrong: No. Ready4Change Apr 2015 #13

That's what I was thinking. A driver, epecially if it is urgent, will press both pedals question everything Apr 2015 #62

That is completely wrong - braking will slow your car even under full throttle. Make7 Apr 2015 #75

Us standard transmission drivers know that this is poppycock. longship Apr 2015 #14

Can't do it, nope... pipi_k Apr 2015 #26

That's a bug, not a feature seveneyes Apr 2015 #30

I just don't use the brake underpants Apr 2015 #31

Couple of things Kelvin Mace Apr 2015 #33

I use my left foot to brake but don't ride the pedal. Being left-handed... BlueJazz Apr 2015 #35

Most of that 132 feet is related to the time to perceive incident. Hoyt Apr 2015 #36

Naaaa I dont believe it benld74 Apr 2015 #37

then theres heel toe shifting olddots Apr 2015 #39

left foot on clutch olddots Apr 2015 #43

I haven't had to do that since I got rid of my MineralMan Apr 2015 #70

Too many would not be coordinated enough to switch from right to left foot. liberal N proud Apr 2015 #40

Nope, not me rjj621 Apr 2015 #42

I'm from the UK, and this completely baffled me until I remembered most Americans drive automatics. Donald Ian Rankin Apr 2015 #45

Seems dumb to me. LiberalAndProud Apr 2015 #47

Agree. laundry_queen Apr 2015 #99

Why should your left foot get a free ride, yortsed snacilbuper Apr 2015 #48

Oh, HELL, no! The right foot cannot go beyond the brake to the gas pedal; HOWEVER, the left foot can WinkyDink Apr 2015 #51

poor drivers brake with their left foot, also poor drivers have hands at 10 & 2 snooper2 Apr 2015 #55

What does income level have to do with it? Stop being classist! ( n/t ) Make7 Apr 2015 #86

I hate driving behind two footed drivers CanonRay Apr 2015 #58

But, I text with my left foot. pintobean Apr 2015 #59

Not gonna matter too much longer. Cars are gonna be self-driving. Darb Apr 2015 #67

Nice post, Daniel Day-Lewis! KamaAina Apr 2015 #69

Excellent. Orrex Apr 2015 #100

Reminds me of when I went car shopping with my dad back in the 70's... Gidney N Cloyd Apr 2015 #71

Left foot braking is commonly taught in performance driving classes tech3149 Apr 2015 #74

Hell, yeah. Mechanics need the bu$ine$$... Eleanors38 Apr 2015 #76

I have been a two foot driver from the beginning riversedge Apr 2015 #77

I always love to be behind someone who rides their brakes Politicalboi Apr 2015 #78

I have been driving with my left foot for years. RebelOne Apr 2015 #79

I love opinions... sendero Apr 2015 #80

Lots of bullshit going around. MineralMan Apr 2015 #84

No. zappaman Apr 2015 #88

That's stupid. Codeine Apr 2015 #89

I think I'll just stick to what LWolf Apr 2015 #91

I've driven manual vehicles for decades and will continue to IDemo Apr 2015 #93

Nonsense. cwydro Apr 2015 #94

same people who thought up fucking anti-lock brakes Agony Apr 2015 #95

Right foot on brakes, left foot on gas. panader0 Apr 2015 #97

I decided too try left foot braking, my take! yortsed snacilbuper Apr 2015 #98

When I need to stop, I simply drop the anchor out the window. Orrex Apr 2015 #101

And then there are those pipi_k Apr 2015 #105

I hear that. zappaman Apr 2015 #113

Driving like this is dangerous. RealityAdvocate Apr 2015 #108

I'm short so it just doesn't work for me. I have been driving for 23 years and my last car accident liberal_at_heart Apr 2015 #109

So you're a shill for the brake pad industry! TransitJohn Apr 2015 #111

I have my doubts that works on icy roads. Or potentially icy roads. jwirr Apr 2015 #114

Or your right, if you drive with your legs crossed jberryhill Apr 2015 #116

It's probably better to get used to left foot braking if you're driving an AT, BUT!!! MillennialDem Apr 2015 #118

I don't know about that but I do know LostOne4Ever Apr 2015 #119