John Ducker: Kick the habit of poor driving practices

Haven’t seen it in awhile but, last week I came across a two-footed driver. By that I mean a person who uses the right foot to step on the gas pedal and uses the left foot to step on the brake. This practice, and some other bad habits we see out there every day, make the road way less safe for everyone. So perhaps it’s time to pay some more attention to our driving “habits.”

But there are some other important reasons to keep that left foot at bay. How did I know the person in front was a “two-footer”? Their brake lights were on full time. We can debate whether the left foot brake method is good or bad but what’s not debatable to me is stepping on the gas and the brake the entire time you’re driving as was the case here.

I was a passenger in a vehicle once where the driver held the brakes on the entire length of descent on a steep hill. Nearing the bottom of the hill cars had slowed for an oncoming curve. My driver had to swerve into the shoulder to avoid a rear end collision - the brakes having overheated to the point of being ineffective.

Racing from that imaginary “start line” to the next light decreases your chances to react to another vehicle’s sudden lane change into your path — and by leaving braking to the last minute, as you zoom up behind the car stopped in front, gives you no room for error if the road is wet or oily and you suddenly go into a skid.

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

John Ducker: Kick the habit of poor driving practicesAvoid speeding, running red and yellow lights, following too closely and riding your brakes for the sake of safety and your pocketbook.
Source: timescolonist - 🏆 15. / 75 Read more »

John Ducker: Personal data at risk behind the wheelIf you drive an older car there’s not much to worry about in terms of personal data and privacy. But a new model with reams of gadgets and sensors is a different story.
Source: timescolonist - 🏆 15. / 75 Read more »

John Ducker: Pet peeves to be found on region's roadsA favourite pet peeve on our region’s roads is the mandatory turn lane which, based on the way it is marked, is actually illegal to move into.
Source: timescolonist - 🏆 15. / 75 Read more »

John Ducker: Parallel parking an unavoidable, vital skillYou won’t pass your road test unless you can parallel park. And yet, many drivers admit to an unconquerable fear around reversing a car into a parking space.
Source: timescolonist - 🏆 15. / 75 Read more »

John Ducker: Don't be blind to the dangers of night drivingWhen it’s hard to see, risk for accidents increases because road hazards are harder to spot, signs harder to read and overall judgment starts to fail.
Source: timescolonist - 🏆 15. / 75 Read more »

Amazon’s New Fees on Sellers Likened  to 'Kick in the Gut'Revised fee structure has shifted more of the cost of running online store onto merchants even as consumers trade down.
Source: BNNBloomberg - 🏆 83. / 50 Read more »