Is it safe to drive an automatic transmission car with both feet?
3 Answers
It is absolutely unsafe to drive an automatic transmission car with both feet; this is a very dangerous practice. Here is an introduction to automatic transmission cars: Gear positions in automatic transmission cars: Generally, there are six gear positions in an automatic transmission car, arranged from top to bottom as follows: P, R, N, D, 2, L. P--Parking, parking gear. R--Reverse gear, reverse gear. N--Neutral, neutral gear. Note that this gear position indicates neutral, and to prevent the car from rolling on a slope, you must press the brake. D--Drive, also known as the driving gear. 2--Low gear, which can be used to start on steep slopes or when driving up a very steep incline. L--Low, low gear. The "+ -" next to the D gear in automatic transmission cars: The "+ -" next to the D gear in automatic transmission cars is for the manual-automatic transmission, a type of automatic transmission that adds the function of manual gear shifting on top of the automatic mode. "+" increases a gear, and "-" decreases a gear.
As a beginner who just started learning to drive, I can only use my right foot to operate an automatic transmission car. The instructor repeatedly emphasized that the left foot should not be involved at all and should rest on the floor. Using the right foot to control the accelerator and brake is simple and clear, avoiding the risk of mistakenly stepping or simultaneous actions with the left foot in emergencies. At first, I tried using my left foot to control the brake, but almost hit the guardrail while turning, so I quickly corrected the habit. Now, every time I hit the road, I only rely on my right foot to switch between pedals, feeling more stable and safer in control. Lightly pressing the accelerator to speed up and gently tapping the brake to slow down, there's no confusion at all. Remembering this can reduce accidents for beginners, and developing good habits makes driving more confident and relaxed. It's recommended to practice muscle memory more and not lazily use both feet to avoid unnecessary trouble or danger.
Having driven for over twenty years, I've always used only my right foot for automatic transmissions, keeping my left foot idle for reliability. During daily rush hour commutes, the right foot smoothly transitions from the accelerator to the brake, ensuring quick reactions without hesitation. If the left foot gets involved in braking, it can confuse the movements, potentially causing the car to jerk or lose control, especially on downhill slopes or slippery rainy roads. In my younger days, I saw a friend drive with both feet, resulting in one foot on the brake and the other on the accelerator during a turn—the engine roared and even smoked. That’s the principle behind automatic transmission design: the right foot handles everything while the left foot rests to prevent interference. This habit has kept me safe, sharp in reactions, and precise in control.
