Damaged knee - left foot braking an auto...

[anonymous-user]

Damaged my knee; cartilage or ligaments (expensive MRI away from knowing). I can't put my heel on the floor and pivot it to reach the break and even if I could, I can't move fast enough or stomp with enough vigour to muster an emergency stop.

Just been thinking, could I left foot brake an auto? I am used to left foot braking in a manual occasionally so am beyond the stampy left foot putting one's nose into the windscreen stage.

Is this unsafe or a viable adaptation as I worry for my job if I can't transport myself around.

[eliot]

You will get used to it pretty quickly. I do it quite often.

[anonymous-user]

eliot said:

You will get used to it pretty quickly. I do it quite often.

Cheers Eliot, what do you drive. I reckon I just need a cheap little bumbling car. A peugeot 205 auto or something...

[quiraing]

Had autos for years, left-foot-braking becomes everyday driving. Can set a car up for some well-controlled cornering. Try it. It's easy - full throttle and balance it on the brakes. Say no more

Edited by quiraing on Thursday 22 August 21:39

[KTF]

You can brake with whatever foot you like but find a quiet road to practice it first

[andyps]

I left foot brake most of the time in my automatic, it seems sensible if you have 2 pedals and 2 feet to use one for each. However, in the situation of the OP insurance and medical considerations are necessary - it shouldn't be an issue, but best to check.

[surveyor]

quiraing said:

Had autos for years, left-foot-braking becomes everyday driving. Can set a car up for some well-controlled cornering. Try it. It's easy - full throttle and balance it on the brakes. Say no more

Edited by quiraing on Thursday 22 August 21:39

Not on my car. Put throttle on with brakes and it will cancel the throttle...

[anonymous-user]

quiraing said:

Had autos for years, left-foot-braking becomes everyday driving. Can set a car up for some well-controlled cornering. Try it. It's easy - full throttle and balance it on the brakes. Say no more

Edited by quiraing on Thursday 22 August 21:39

I have a ford puma which only has a lowly little 1.7l engine. Driving with momentum is essential and that is how I learned to left foot brake... Hence no stompy left foot any more. First time I tried it though, my left foot was still in clutch mode!

I will phone insurers tomorrow. They have largely been c*!$s whenever I have had to deal with them so I imagine it will involve admin fees, penalty fees etc. Perhaps they will even take away my no claims??

[eltax91]

coombsfh said:

I have a ford puma which only has a lowly little 1.7l engine. Driving with momentum is essential and that is how I learned to left foot brake... Hence no stompy left foot any more. First time I tried it though, my left foot was still in clutch mode!

I will phone insurers tomorrow. They have largely been c*!$s whenever I have had to deal with them so I imagine it will involve admin fees, penalty fees etc. Perhaps they will even take away my no claims??

I sent you a cheeky pm! Feel free to tell me to ps off.

[spikeyhead]

KTF said:

You can brake with whatever foot you like but find a quiet road to practice it first

^^^This^^^ and make sure that your seatbelt is snug and there's nothing behind you.

[ChasW]

Just had an operation on my right foot. Told I can't drive for two weeks minimum, which I expected. I asked what determines my fitness to drive. Apparently it's your ability to perform an emergency stop unhindered or without pain. So I assume an impaired left leg is not an issue in an auto.

[anonymous-user]

ChasW said:

Just had an operation on my right foot. Told I can't drive for two weeks minimum, which I expected. I asked what determines my fitness to drive. Apparently it's your ability to perform an emergency stop unhindered or without pain. So I assume an impaired left leg is not an issue in an auto.

Thanks ChasW, this is something I was not told. At least not as clearly as you just have.

[anonymous-user]

eltax91 said:

I sent you a cheeky pm! Feel free to tell me to ps off.

How do I see PM's?

[R1 Indy]

You might want to practice it somewhere quiet first.

I tried it in my Merc, I almost went through the windscreen!!!

[anonymous-user]

SO many of the cars i drive are now autos/ paddleshifts, and as i always have used my left foot to brake, i now actually struggle to right foot brake in the occasional manual car i drive........