Learn to drive with both feet

Learn to drive with both feet

We continue to hear of automobile accidents involving older people who either miss or confuse the brake pedal and the gas pedal. The recent event in Santa Monica simply adds to the increasing number of runaway vehicles and the tragedies they cause.

I have been driving for many years without accidents. About 40 years ago I got my first car with an automatic transmission. There was no clutch pedal for my left foot.

I decided then to train myself to brake with my left foot. It became completely automatic in a short time.

The advantage of this is that people don’t usually confuse their left and right feet as sometimes happens when they confuse the brake and the gas pedal, using their right foot for both the brake and gas. There are other advantages as well. When stopped on an up-grade, the brake and gas pedal can be adjusted simultaneously to achieve a smooth acceleration without rollback. It also helps when parking in tight places. You just have better control over the car.

I highly recommend that left foot braking be taught during driving instruction. Let’s stop the tragic accidents which are sometimes caused by right foot braking!

Robin Hoag

Oak Park