Left foot braking for the road with a manual transmission

[brisel]

Who is doing this and why? I had a drive with a police driving instructor recently who did this safely and smoothly and am considering trying it. I have been left foot braking in automatics for years.

For:
Quicker braking reaction in extremis, though a well planned drive should mean this should never be needed, though sh** happens
It facilitates trail braking and keeps the car balanced into a corner
Great to help turning in with understeer prone cars, especially on track

Against:
An emergency would require a rapid foot change to press the clutch pedal
Requires a wider brake pedal?
As above, good planning should mean that trail braking and gear changing in a corner isn’t needed.
Understeer should not be an issue on a public road where good safety margins are used

Discuss

[brisel]

Panamax said:

You'll have loads of fun in a modern German car. They shut the throttle as soon as you touch the brake.

Luckily, my German car is old enough that I need a serious amount of both pedals before the software cuts the throttle. I was able to test that theory at Millbrook before Christmas with CAT Driver Training.

[brisel]

Pica-Pica said:

Possibly. Not a game I would play though.

I agree. I have a special place in hell for brake checkers!