Senior citizen shares thoughts on driving

Senior citizen shares thoughts on driving

The distance between the brake pedal and the accelerator pedal in most cars is three inches. If a driver wears a 12 or 13, C-width shoe, pressure on the far right side of the brake pedal can also activate the gas pedal.

My shoe size is 13 and the sole width is 4 inches. Too much pressure to the right is liable to cause a double action with the brake and accelerator in an emergency slowdown or stop. I’m not implying this was a possible cause of the Santa Monica tragedy. It is a condition to avoid. Get used to pressing the brake pedal firmly in the middle.

I recently passed my driver’s license test that came up for renewal. I read the smallest print without glasses and had no problem with the written exam. I’m a senior. But I am cutting back on my driving as much as I can. Not because I’m older and feel my driving skills are failing. There are just too many cars out there, and our freeways seem to have more and more trucks to stay away from.

Driving is not the thrilling adventure those super horsepower car commercials say it is. It’s a serious responsibility, a bore in traffic and I find it no fun at all.

Roger Slattery

Agoura Hills