Foot on the brake

[clubchamp98]

Been a while since I posted a driving rant.

Why do people sit at lights with their foot on the brake? Was the way I was taught.

It's totally fine at any lights or situation that changes quickly, actually it's necessary so ensure a safe and quick manoeuvre.

What I am talking about are obvious stopped traffic or lights known to take a while to change. I was taught to change to handbrake in these situations and always try to remember too.

I've been observing traffic at two points on my commute where the lights take a while to cycle. I've ignored any quick changing situation here.

Probably about 80% of drivers sit for up to a muniute or more with their foot on the brake? Do they need the workout? Sometimes I feel like the only one not doing it.

What's your take on this?

I have a new auto Golf and it has a system on it that puts auto stop on the brakes
it doesn't have a handbrake .
When you stop the car as soon as it comes to a halt the electronic parking brake comes on if you take your foot of the brake pedal the stop lights stay on unless you put the switch for full parking brake on manually.
its designed like this I don't know why.
also my lad is learning to drive and I constantly tell him to put handbrake on but they are taught not to do this anymore "as long as they are in control of the car."

 

[MadAdey]

Been a while since I posted a driving rant.

Why do people sit at lights with their foot on the brake? Was the way I was taught.

It's totally fine at any lights or situation that changes quickly, actually it's necessary so ensure a safe and quick manoeuvre.

What I am talking about are obvious stopped traffic or lights known to take a while to change. I was taught to change to handbrake in these situations and always try to remember too.

I've been observing traffic at two points on my commute where the lights take a while to cycle. I've ignored any quick changing situation here.

Probably about 80% of drivers sit for up to a muniute or more with their foot on the brake? Do they need the workout? Sometimes I feel like the only one not doing it.

What's your take on this?

I just push the auto hold button my car and it sits it there even on a hill and then pulls off when I start to accelerate. But previously in my Auto car I sit on the foot brake, far easier that going into park and putting the brake on.

 

[mikevet]

Highway Code says not to sit on the foot brake because of the effect the dazzle/glare has on the vision of the driver behind. Unfortunately, it seems that fewer and fewer drivers have any regard for the adverse effect their misuse of any car lights has on other road users ...

 

[Imurg]

Highway Code says not to sit on the foot brake because of the effect the dazzle/glare has on the vision of the driver behind. Unfortunately, it seems that fewer and fewer drivers have any regard for other road users ...

Fixed that for ya!

 

[louise_a]

I couldn't answer this this morning but having been out I now know that I put the handbrake on when stopped at lights.

 

[Andy]

Been a while since I posted a driving rant.

Why do people sit at lights with their foot on the brake? Was the way I was taught.

It's totally fine at any lights or situation that changes quickly, actually it's necessary so ensure a safe and quick manoeuvre.

What I am talking about are obvious stopped traffic or lights known to take a while to change. I was taught to change to handbrake in these situations and always try to remember too.

I've been observing traffic at two points on my commute where the lights take a while to cycle. I've ignored any quick changing situation here.

Probably about 80% of drivers sit for up to a muniute or more with their foot on the brake? Do they need the workout? Sometimes I feel like the only one not doing it.

What's your take on this?

You need to get out more!

 

[clubchamp98]

Highway Code says not to sit on the foot brake because of the effect the dazzle/glare has on the vision of the driver behind. Unfortunately, it seems that fewer and fewer drivers have any regard for the adverse effect their misuse of any car lights has on other road users ...

how do VW get round this then as my brake lights stay on when in auto even when I take my foot off the brake pedal.
is it only advisory .

 

[Smiffy]

One of my pet hates. Especially when it's dark and wet.
3 sets of brake lights blinding you. Why not stick your bloody fog lights on as well you ignorant *****.

 

[Smiffy]

how do VW get round this then as my brake lights stay on when in auto even when I take my foot off the brake pedal

Hate to say it mate, but there is something wrong somewhere. They shouldn't do that.

 

[guest100718]

Hate to say it mate, but there is something wrong somewhere. They shouldn't do that.

hate to say it but you don't know much about cars do you.

 

[Smiffy]

hate to say it but you don't know much about cars do you.

Obviously not

 

[guest100718]

Obviously not

perhaps swat up before you sell your next VW....

 

[Smiffy]

perhaps swat up before you sell your next VW....

So you are saying that it's correct that brakes lights stay on even when your foot is not on the brake pedal?
That's the 1st time I've heard that. Be a bit confusing to say the least.
PS I don't sell Volkswagens

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Highway Code says not to sit on the foot brake because of the effect the dazzle/glare has on the vision of the driver behind. Unfortunately, it seems that fewer and fewer drivers have any regard for the adverse effect their misuse of any car lights has on other road users ...

I was taught (some time ago) that you should put your handbrake on when stationary for one simple reason. If you are sitting (in or out of out of gear) with your foot on the brake pedal but don't have the handbrake on - were someone to drive into your rear end there is a good chance your foot will come off the brake pedal and you will shoot forward - either into a car or pedestrian in front - or into the path of crossing or oncoming traffic.

 

[Rooter]

i drive an auto and i keep my foot on the brake at lights etc. cant be arsed to move it to park, as i am not parking, i am just waiting!

 

[Smiffy]

i drive an auto and i keep my foot on the brake at lights etc. cant be arsed to move it to park, as i am not parking, i am just waiting!

So you are one of the inconsiderate sods

 

[Rooter]

So you are one of the inconsiderate sods

yup. and proud. Does your parts dept sell ultra bright brake lights?

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

yup. and proud. Does your parts dept sell ultra bright brake lights?

What about you getting a rear-end shunt though? - as that was the reason I was told to get into the habit of always putting my handbrake on when stationary. I admit to occasionally holding stopped on the brake pedal - so this reminds me that I must be more mindful.

 

[MegaSteve]

Back in the day one of my part time jobs was driving a breakdown recovery truck that had a roof bar fitted with some powerful rally type lights... When I came up upon someone using rear fog lights unnecessarily I'd give them a full dose of my lights... Reckon if I was in the same situation nowadays with these brake lights I'd be having me some fun with my roof lights...

 

[Bunkermagnet]

What about you getting a rear-end shunt though? - as that was the reason I was told to get into the habit of always putting my handbrake on when stationary. I admit to occasionally holding stopped on the brake pedal - so this reminds me that I must be more mindful.

Surely in a rear end shunt, your normal reaction would be to press harder with your foot. In any case, if you do release the brakes at Impact you should in theory lesson damage to your car as it would move rather than absorb the energy from the colliding motor.

I always sit at lights foot on brake pedal, whether in my auto van or manual car. I want the cars behind me to know I am not moving or getting ready to move until Implace my foot on the accelerator.

How about we start a rant on those who drive with dirty or illegally lettered number plates, that would be worthy of discussion.