We have two feet; use both for driving

“SUV crashes Harris Bank.” This would not happen if people would use their left foot for braking.

When driving a car or truck we use our two eyes to look at traffic, and we use our two ears to listen to traffic and emergency vehicles, We use our two arms and hands to steer and guide the vehicle. So why do we want to use only one leg, or foot, to brake? Don’t we use both feet to walk?

When you brake with your left foot it is almost impossible to slip off and hit the gas pedal.

Here are some math facts.

There are 5,280 feet in a mile. At 1 mph divide by 60 minutes: 88 feet per minute, or 1.466 feet per second. It takes ¾ of a second to switch from the gas pedal to the brake pedal: 1.466 x .75, or 1.09 feet x 7 mph (the average speed in shopping mall lots).

So 7 x 1.09 feet, or 7.7 feet per second, could put you into the rear of a suddenly stopped car.

Besides, using both feet to drive is very precision driving. Consider backing out of a parking spot in a heavy traffic area. You would have instant control of your car. And, no, you don’t ride the brake pedal; you’re smarter than that.

Ben Nejdl

Rolling Meadows