Ankle surgery - Automatic

ontheroad1970

sweetsand said:

Bonniepurple said:

I’ve had to switch to an automatic due to an ankle injury (right ankle).  With practice I have worked out left foot braking (yes, I know that in theory I should only use my right foot for both peddles but the pain would mean I would be unsafe to drive!).  I’ve checked the DVLA website and unless I need adaptations to the car (eg hand controls) I don’t need to inform them.  If my ankle were to recover fully I would like to drive a manual again.  If I informed DVLA that I can only drive an automatic I would need to be reassessed for a manual.

Hi
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
My only concern is that when you drive with your left foot an auto, you are lacking space to rest your right foot. Yes, indeed, driving with your right foot an auto, all of the larger cars have a space to rest your foot on the left side and i a manual as well I think as I've not really driven a manual.
On long distances I share about 30% of the driving if we are doing a 400 mile round trip in a day and you need the space on the left to strecth your leg/foot. Without going back into one of our cars I am trying to think what space is there to rest ones right foot if driving left. What comes to mind is in road works on m-ways 50mph we go to overdrive and i recal my foot/leg getting sleeping after about 10 mins due to lack of space i think.

Many people put their non pedal foot behind their pedal foot, especially if they don't have a car posh enough to have a footrest area.