driving with 2 feet in a smart way?

Question

I drive with two feet in a automatic and I live in sofla. I taught myself how to drive, i took my drivers test, passed it with flying colors, never got spoken to about using 2 feet. I have gotten into 2 accidents, both in which i was re-ended due to braking too fast because the person in front of me braked too fast, and the person behind me wasn't paying attention. And when i accelerate from braking, or vise versa i always make sure one only one foot is being used, so i don't mess up the transmission. Also, when I drive and i am not using the brake my left foot does not stay on top of the brake, i move it to the side until I need it, so my brake light isn't always on, and i don't wear out my brake pads. My friends ALWAYS comment about me doing it, and say that when i get into an accident that i wont brake fast enough. but i have been in accidents, and i have braked. Why else would it be bad for my car? If someone gives me a valid reason, i will stop...but i haven't found one yet.

Answer 1

One reason is that there will always be the temptation to drive with your left foot covering the brake pedal - this is how many people gradually start riding their brakes, which causes them to overheat. It also means that the brake lights are always on, so cars behind you don't know when you're actually going to stop. I realise that you tell us you don't do this at the moment, but it will happen as you get older and your reflexes get slower.

Also, using the left foot for the brake means that you can never drive a stick shift - not even in an emergency. This can become quite a problem - a friend of mine broke his leg about 10 years ago while hiking in the woods with his girlfriend. She couldn't drive his car (she drove the same way you do, and so couldn't handle the clutch pedal), so they had to wait for someone to find them. Not an enjoyable way to spend a date!

Besides, you have already told us that you have been in an accident "due to braking too fast" - you may claim being in the right, but this indicates that you contributed to the cause of the accident. Generally, the right foot has more fine motor control, and so can modulate brake pressure so that you brake hard enough to avoid hitting the car in front, while not stopping faster than necessary and causing an accident in the rear. If the car in front of you brakes firmly, and you slam yours on, then you have contributed to an accident that could have been avoided. Cries of "but the guy behind is in the wrong" don't change your input into the situation. And, contrary to popular belief, you can be found at fault if you brake unnecessarily hard and thereby cause an accident.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I have taught myself to use 2 feet in an automatic in low-speed, low-traction situations, such as rocking a car out of deep snow in the winter. It is rare for me to have to use that more than once a year. I would never 2-foot in traffic with an automatic. The reaction time is that fraction of a second slower, the fraction that could get a person killed. The pedal is placed so you get a pretty straight line on the brake with the right foot, allowing maximum pressure in a panic stop in good traction, and controlled pressure for threshold braking in any lesser conditions (unless you have ABS of course. Mind you, using threshold braking techniques, I have never had ABS activate on any ABS-equipped car I have driven). In most cars, to get that straight line with the left, you have to be seated slightly crooked. You might not even realize it until you suffer an injury aggravated by the position. Plus, if you are a 2-footed driver in an automatic, heaven help you if you ever try to learn to drive a standard transmission, especially if you have to learn fast in an emergency situation.
I also suggest, if you have already been rear-ended twice, that you learn to provide yourself safety zones front and back, and how to enlarge the zone in front, or find another lane, if the person behind is tailgating you.

Answer 3

I think you will wear out your brake and engine/trans faster as using both feet on an auto car increases the chance of you engaging both the brakes and the accelerator at the same time. This may occur even if you dont think so. Your habit obviously came from teaching yourself how to drive. This habit is discouraged in proper driving instruction.
If I were you, I would be more concerned with not tailgating people because you have been rear-ended twice. If you had to stop that quick and have a car slam into you, then you were probably too close too.
I had a neighbor who used to drive an automatic like you do. He told me his brakes wore out much quicker than normal. He then switched to driving manual cars.

Answer 4

I have to agree with a few statements made here.

Granted, by being self taught, you have acquired a habit that is not normally accepted as a "safe" practice. Your explanation of how you do drive with your left foot away from the brake pedal means you are doing no damage to your car, but think about this situation for a second....

The reason that driving instructors teach right foot for throttle and brake and left foot for clutch, if so equipped, is in a panic stop situation, you will brace yourself with one of your legs... obviously, it won't be the right one due to conditioning. It will be otherwise occupied with the throttle (which you don't want to push on) or the brake, (which you are trying to modulate as to prevent wheel lock-up). Most of us will brace ourselves with our left leg. If you are on the brake with your left leg and on the throttle with your right, you will more than likely press harder on the brake pedal and put yourself potentially in a skid. Yeah... I know... everyone is going to say, "but what about ABS?"... Not all cars are equipped with ABS and that's not the point.

Another point was made about your "abrupt stops" that led to being rear-ended. A contributing factor to this is following distance. It sounds like you, and the car following you were tailgating. If you had to do a panic stop, you were too close to the vehicle in front of you. Leave yourself at least 2-4 seconds following distance between you and the car in front of you. This will not only make things safer for you, but will also keep you from getting rear ended quite as often.

Hope this helps...

Answer 5

There isn't a valid reason for you to stop. Most people use their right foot because it has more sensitivity. Since you taught yourself how to drive with both feet, you're fine. I use my left foot for braking every once in a while, when I want to accelerate off a corner a bit faster.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

No youre an idiot driver! and a selfish onet too!!! if you are the cause of my crash..i would break both your damn feet! there is a reason why its illegal! youre putting other people's lives in danger!!!
No youre an idiot driver! and a selfish onet too!!! if you are the cause of my crash..i would break both your damn feet! there is a reason why its illegal! youre putting other people's lives in danger!!!
my uncle and father are professional drivers that have driven stick since age 14..self taught! and they even say any idiot who drives with 2 feet is looking for trouble 

Answer 8

You live in South Florida that sucks! Because driving with two feet in an automatic car is STUPID and not the right way to drive. I live in Miami. Hope I never see you on the road.