I think you would be surprised how long it all takes. this takes into account the average persons reaction time. First you have to see the problem, identify it eas a problem thn react to the problem. By the time this all happens you have traveled quite a distance. Then you have to take in age etc as well.Knowing theres going to be a panic stop and (like someones about to tell you to stop so your ready) it suddenly happening at 100 kph is different and you will get a differing reaction time. And no its never been a problem for me left foot braking, just depends on my suroundings at the time. If there kids about or lots of intersections etc I place my foot over the brake.
mark.52,
Jan 24, 8:23pm
The percentage of time involved in getting foot onto the brake pedal is a fairly small percentage of the three items you've woven into that conundrum.
IMO, most drivers aren't attentive enough that it makes much difference. Ie: the time taken to perceive the problem and realize that a big speed reduction is required is much greater than the time taken to press the brake once the decision has been made.
mrfxit,
Jan 25, 12:36am
Brake lights are for. WARNING of the usage of brakes. YES"
Many many times, I have been following various vehicles & the brake lights are flickering on & off OR mostly ON with random flicks off.
Theres NO WAY that you can safely trust that sort of driver to be braking or not.
Several times, I have had the chance to talk to those drivers & YES. they are left boot brakers driving an auto, resting their foot above or slightly on the brake peddle
mrfxit,
Jan 25, 12:42am
Of those that I have spoken to, they have either NEVER driven a manual vehicle before or it's been many many years since the last time they drove a manual & only ever drive an auto now.
Try left foot braking around town in a manual vehicle & see how you get on.
According to some of the comments above, those of us that drive manual vehicles (including commercial vehicles) have much slower brake reaction times compared to those that left foot brake in auto's.
Mmmmm
dazza64,
Jan 25, 1:38am
left foot braker here, my family find me weird lol
ali-s,
Jan 25, 8:44am
I always left foot brake. All our cars are autos now. When I get a manual trans rental car or friend's car I find no problem with left-clutch/right-brake; the old brain seems to adjust automatically. But is there any legal issues/road rules about it! What would a driving licence tester do to you!
swfc1867,
Jan 25, 10:40am
I drive a manual. left and right foot brake. I also heel-toe. adds a bit more interest to my everyday driving experience!
mark.52,
Jan 25, 11:35am
I would heel-toe, but the accelerator is electronically disconnected when the brake pedal is moved. The handbrake is the only option. But it's not that effective. (Unless you want to rapidly spin 180.)
gunhand,
Jan 25, 3:29pm
According to some of the comments above, those of us that drive manual vehicles (including commercial vehicles) have much slower brake reaction times compared to those that left foot brake in auto's.
Mmmmm
Quote
mrfxit (2240 )2:42 am, Fri 25 Jan #31
Where does it say that!dosen't matter what you drive you still have to get your foot off one pedal onto another to brake, unless you have your left foot already above the brake pedal (in an auto anyway) then you lift off the right and brake with the left.A split second may save a life, may not either as you still have to be alert to your surroundings.Reaction times vary alot in people, some are quick and some are slow and some do nothing LOL and crash.
mrfxit,
Jan 25, 8:13pm
you said it your self above . ^ ^ You are asking for big trouble in a manual gearbox vehicle if you go around all the time with your left foot sitting above the brake peddle. What happens when you need to change gear AND brake in a hurry
gunhand,
Jan 25, 8:23pm
Hmmmm, no I didnt say at all that manual drivers have slower reactions. And I said, this is for an auto. The word manual was never mentioned!And when I drive manual I brake with my right foot otherwise you would would come to a shuddering halt I would think.
grb235,
Jan 26, 4:23am
You get the same phenomena with drivers that have light set to automatically come on when it gets dark.Entering the Victoria Park Tunnelis a classic example where tail light come on and there is a rush of other drivers braking due to the horizontal and vertical curve of the tunnel making it impossible to see if there is an obstruction ahead or the road is clear.
But as we all obey the road rules and never follow closer then the distance required to stop, the red brake or driving light activation is of no concern.In fact it keeps us "on our toes" and concentrating on our driving.
mrfxit,
Jan 26, 7:43am
LOL, must be a lot of very modern vehicles down your way, us poor old Waikato ppl tend to have an older range of vehicles that don't have all the flash gizmo's.
Yep pretty much always keep a good distance between myself & others but why should I have to be at a very high level of alert when following at a reasonable distance (& no side roads etc) just because some twit can't keep their left foot OFF the brake peddle.
It makes a mockery of why we have brake lights in the 1st place. HOW am I spose to know in advance WHEN that person IS actually braking (apart from detecting that they are slowing down) when the brake lights are ALREADY ON & have been on for the last few kms.
Better tell the govt that VTNZ & the wof regs have got it wrong that brakes lights are NOT emergency brake warning lamps but in fact are simply really bright tail lights
mrfxit,
Jan 26, 7:52am
Agreed. Theres far more to reaction times then simply being ready to brake with your left foot already in place.
AND . What heck has racing got to do with domestic driving situations. 2 TOTALLY different situations Vehicles / driver attitudes /speeds / road conditions/ tyres/ peddle arrangements / ONE WAY traffic. On the race track you are going to be bum buddies with anybody that you are trying to pass but can't 'at that moment' & normally at far higher speeds then you are allowed on a domestic/ public road.
Apples & oranges (both round & grow on a tree but nothing else in common)
grb235,
Jan 26, 9:55am
Victoria Park Tunnel is actually North of the Waikato (In Warriors Country).Same happens at the entry to the Lytteton Tunnel in Christchurch.Even under bridges peoples light come on.The woody glen on the road to Rotorua is the same.
My old 1996 Camry is fitted with auto lights, your car might be as well. Hardly a new invention.
Should we not always drive at the highest alert!No time to relax when driving (hence the reminder to have frequent rest stops and if possible, driver changes).
If not comfortable slow down and let the following distance increase.You will get there at the same time.
Good points but "always drive at the highest alert" gets very tiring fairly soon. We have a 1988 truck /1990 VW /1996 Nissan / 2000 Galant non of which have auto light systems & had a good range of others over the years without this function. We have a lot of other later model vehicles arriving here for various reasons & most of them don't appear to have that function or the drivers are unaware of it.
mrfxit,
Jan 26, 10:56am
My main question is . "What are the reasons for having brake lights"
stabi360,
Jan 27, 3:42am
ive done that! you stop in a hurry dont you :)
wrong2,
Jan 27, 9:10am
female drivers
does anything else actually need to be said !!!
utwo,
Jan 27, 12:31pm
There's only one problem with left-foot braking - if you rest your foot on the pedal. I'm sure everyone's followed a car at some stage with its brake lights either constantly on or flashing like a fire engine.
mrfxit,
Jan 27, 4:03pm
Yep said that above before.
Hence my question!
oversize,
Jan 27, 6:18pm
I do both, left foot brake on my wife's city and right foot brake on my commodore.
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