Using 2 feet while driving an automatic? I'm concerned that this is even a question.

I was teaching a friend to drive an automatic  a few years back in my car, they had only ever driven manuals, they decided for reasons known only to them to use their left foot on the brake, unfortunately they tried to depress it the same way they would depress the clutch, I still have night terrors of the outcome and my chest took many weeks to repair.

MikeB4:

 

I was teaching a friend to drive an automatic  a few years back in my car, they had only ever driven manuals, they decided for reasons known only to them to use their left foot on the brake, unfortunately they tried to depress it the same way they would depress the clutch, I still have night terrors of the outcome and my chest took many weeks to repair.

 

As I already stated, that is not the way to do it. If I want to stop, I move my right foot to the brake, regardless of what the left foot is doing. I don't press on the accelerator. Maybe some people just aren't very skilled drivers.

Rikkitic:

 

MikeB4:

 

I was teaching a friend to drive an automatic  a few years back in my car, they had only ever driven manuals, they decided for reasons known only to them to use their left foot on the brake, unfortunately they tried to depress it the same way they would depress the clutch, I still have night terrors of the outcome and my chest took many weeks to repair.

 

 

As I already stated, that is not the way to do it. If I want to stop, I move my right foot to the brake, regardless of what the left foot is doing. I don't press on the accelerator. Maybe some people just aren't very skilled drivers.

 

 

 

Nah this person is actually a good driver, it was muscle memory subconsciously thinking it was the clutch being depressed. 

Batman:

 

I use 2 feet on 'special' occasions, when both need some pressing at the same time, or the right ankle is a bit sore/stiff. Otherwise the default is 1. So i can do either. 

 

Ah, those 'special' occasions where you need to both go faster and stop at the same time??

When you need to spin the back wheels without moving.

I use both feet.  Always have done since first started driving automatics.  That's what the big break peddle on US and some AU made cars was for.  The only car I could do this was  a VL Commodore as when the made the auto version they just removed the clutch peddle and kept the manual break peddle.   Typical Holden.  Do it on the cheap.   Two feet is way better for hill starts..

caminham:

Batman:

I use 2 feet on 'special' occasions, when both need some pressing at the same time, or the right ankle is a bit sore/stiff. Otherwise the default is 1. So i can do either. 

Ah, those 'special' occasions where you need to both go faster and stop at the same time??

And no-one finds it incredible that people with such poor motor skills that they cannot distinguish between the accelerator and the brake are allowed to control two-ton death machines on public roads? I would think that the ability to brake with either foot would be a minimum competency requirement.

It's nothing to do with motor skills. It's to do with muscle memory. 

Muscle memory is the result of muscle training. Train the muscle differently and they will remember differently.

Rikkitic:

 

And no-one finds it incredible that people with such poor motor skills that they cannot distinguish between the accelerator and the brake are allowed to control two-ton death machines on public roads? I would think that the ability to brake with either foot would be a minimum competency requirement.

 

 

 

I disagree I find more disturbing that an experienced driver of road vehicles would see the need to brake with their left foot and accelerate with their right in an automatic or manual vehicle. There are occasions in larger vehicles or off road where the vehicles revs need to be kept up to say match the rate of descent but in a normal driving situation in a standard light vehicle it is the wrong method and a silly method.

Rikkitic:

 

Muscle memory is the result of muscle training. Train the muscle differently and they will remember differently.

 

Yes but you worried about driver's who were unskilled - apparently because they are not trained to do left foot braking. I see no reason to worry about this lack of training in an IMHO unnecessary skill as long as drivers are trained/skilled to use their right foot and to anticipate potential risks ahead. 

Indeed as others have posted, the official dogma expressed in the road code excludes left foot braking, and driving instructors often encourage to hover the right over the brake when coasting.

Rikkitic:

 

Muscle memory is the result of muscle training. Train the muscle differently and they will remember differently.

 

 

Sounds good in theory, but put that person into a manual car and they will struggle.

In addition to all of the mechanical and psychological problems (Two Footed Panic), it's also a good habit to get into for if/when you start driving a manual transmission vehicle because you'll need the free second foot to operate the clutch properly and efficiently.