how risky is it to walk in front of cars held under clutch contol?

Question

my pal says they are spring loaded and that theywll break your legs if the driver sneezes but the local garbage who park on the corner are all calling me a big girl-talk me throuhg the risks

Answer 1

If you lift your foot from the clutch, the car will lurch forward....it would be with some speed and power. The car may stall eventually, but would have travelled at some speed and some distance.

If a person was trapped between that car and a wall or another vehicle, then it could easily cut through them never mind just break their legs.

We were always advised that If this was ever to happen, you DO NOT reverse to free the person. It is better to leave them pinned and call an ambulance, allowing the paramedics to release them. The same as you would if you were stabbed etc...never attempt to remove the object yourself.

Leaving your car in clutch, is VERY dangerous. It is also very bad for your car, and will eventually wear your clutch.

Take care and drive carefully xx

Answer 2

You don't ever just hold a car by the clutch. The clutch disengages the gearing, sorta leaves it free floating. If you were on any sort of a grade the car would be affected by gravity and roll downhill. When you engage the clutch, you put the car back into gear...assuming you're at a standstill, that should be first gear, or reverse. After the gear is engaged the car will move sluggishly until your foot hits the gas. If your gas pedal is somewhat depressed at all times, then you could have a reaction as of "spring loaded", but this is not a factory set normal. And sneezing would not cause the driver to disengage the clutch. Most clutches have to be moved a full 6 inches before disengaging, from just above the floor to it's normal setting, as high as your brake pedal.

I make it a practise never to step out in front of cars that aren't held motionless behind a red light. With the propensity of most young men to play *sshole games like chicken, I'd sooner trust a 90 year old man!

Answer 3

If I understand your question correctly bare these points in mind.
For a car to be under `clutch control`only, infers that the handbrake has not been applied, and that the engine is therefore effectively holding the rolling weight of the vehicle and any release of the clutch will result in the vehicle moving forwards or backwards depending on what gear has been selected.
It can therefore be seen that if the person who is obviousley not in control of the vehicle were to suddenly release the clutch for whatever reason, foot slipping, inattention, muscle cramp and so on, then the vehicle would suddenly lurch forward/backward, and if you were in the way, it would certainly hurt.
Always remember that steel and hard plastic are far tougher than flesh and bone something your locals seem to have forgotten.

Answer 4

It depends if the driver holding the car on the clutch is a friend or not.
It is always better to walk behind a car, but it is safer to use recognised crossings and common sense. If a driver sneezes, and the foot slips off the clutch pedal then you may indeed get a leg broken by the impact. In an extreme circumstance you might even lose your life

Answer 5

It's more common to take a car out of gear (when stopped with brakes applied), with a standard transmission than an automatic.

If someone's foot was knocked off the brake in either case, it would be more likely to drive forward if it were an automatic left in drive.

You do have to be careful when you're behind a standard on an uphill slope as they have a tendency to roll backwards if the driver isn't experienced putting the car into gear.

Always be careful when crossing in front of cars. Pedestrians have the right of way in a crosswalk, but who wants to be dead right. Leave yourself enough room (between you and the nose of the car) to have room for reaction by both you and the driver if something did go wrong (such as the car being hit from behind).

Answer 6

Pretty risky. If the driver's foot slips, the car will be off like its taking part in a drag race. Some people are better at clutch control that others, that's why you see some cars moving back and forth. Some people are just impatient and move slowly towards the lights. Cross with caution!!!!

Answer 7

under clutch control the car can easily lurch forward the biggest risk is when you are weaving through a line of traffic half of them at least will be under clutch control and a common problem is little bumper bashes ....if you are caught sandwiched between it will hurt....having said that you only need to worry if the cars are close ...so stop being such a big baby and find a clearer place to cross....

Answer 8

One driver in six suffers from some kind of mental illness. As a general rule, it's best not to walk in front of cars, especially the sort with sights on the end of the bonnet.

Answer 9

hahaha ya big girl

Answer 10

very specially if Im driving