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Left-foot braking is the technique of using the left foot to operate the brake pedal in an automobile, leaving the right foot dedicated to the throttle pedal. [1] It contrasts with the practice of using the left foot to operate the clutch pedal, leaving the right foot to share the duties of controlling both brake and gas pedals .
Left-foot braking is the favored technique for using opposite lock in a front drive vehicle. A related technique is the handbrake turn, in which the rear wheels are deliberately locked in order to break the friction between the tires and the road, allowing the car to be spun around a very tight bend or junction, etc.
Normally the throttle and brake are operated by the right foot, while the clutch is operated by the left foot. However, some drivers sometimes mistake the accelerator for the brake, leading to sudden unintended acceleration and causing 16,000 accidents per year in the US. [5] There are also drivers who intentionally practice left-foot braking.
The dead pedal was developed to prevent the accidental actuation of the clutch or brake, also known as left-foot braking, by providing an alternative surface to rest the foot on. The dead pedal became more important with time as stronger and faster cars were developed because the left foot must push against the floor to brace the driver's body.
Key takeaways. While it’s not technically illegal to drive barefoot in a car, the practice can be unsafe. In some states, drivers may be fined if driving barefoot contributes to an accident.
Illinois state troopers may issue a $164 citation to drivers who violate this law, Illinois State Police spokesperson Melissa Albert-Lopez said in a recent email to the News-Democrat.
Inducing oversteer by applying power in a front wheel drive car is possible via proper use of "left-foot braking”, and using low gears down steep hills may cause some oversteer. The effect of braking on handling is complicated by load transfer , which is proportional to the (negative) acceleration times the ratio of the center of gravity ...
However, brakes are rarely applied at full throttle; the driver takes the right foot off the gas pedal and moves it to the brake pedal - unless left-foot braking is used. Because of low vacuum at high RPM, reports of unintended acceleration are often accompanied by complaints of failed or weakened brakes, as the high-revving engine, having an ...