Rocketman:
When i did my Cat C a few weeks ago, on the test the examiner was quiet chatty which i didn’t mind, at the end of the test ( which i passed ) he mentioned to me that i should, when approaching traffic lights that are already green, be prepared to stop by having my accelerator foot ( Right Foot ) hovering over the brake pedal, as on the approach to traffic lights that are already green, as he explained, you wouldn’t necessarily know how long they had been green so best be prepared to stop.
Quite right to, however the foot should be touching the brake and depending , the slack may be taken on the pedal.
So you agree that the brake pedal should be covered but not depressed beyond taking up any loose play in the pedal ?
tachograph:
So you agree that the brake pedal should be covered but not depressed beyond taking up any loose play in the pedal ?
I agree - and it also puts the brake lights on
Only if you have faulty or badly adjusted brake lights
By “loose play in the pedal” I was of cause referring to loose play or wear in a linkage or cable.
Which reminds me, I really out to check out that hydraulic brake light switch on the car. It sometimes doesn’t work very well and comes on far too late.
tachograph:
So you agree that the brake pedal should be covered but not depressed beyond taking up any loose play in the pedal ?
I agree - and it also puts the brake lights on
Only if you have faulty or badly adjusted brake lights
By “loose play in the pedal” I was of cause referring to loose play or wear in a linkage or cable.
I’ve driven many vehicles like you folks and whether they be oldish or brand new, I have found that taking up the ‘play of the pedal’ without actually engaging the brakes has put the brake lights on - not found one yet that has not done this
This aspect of vehicles has been mentioned on numerous driving videos to which one in particular comes to mind - Roadcraft, which says that all the pedals in a vehicle have an amount of ‘free play’
A small confusion of terminology, but In that case I agree the brake lights will come on before all of the “play of the pedal” is taken up, I also agree with an earlier comment about using the brake lights to persuade drivers behind who are too close to back off, done that myself
Still don’t agree that a driver should approach traffic lights with their foot on the brake unless it’s required though, covering the brake pedal without depressing it yes, but not actually depressing the pedal unless you’re using the brakes.
And apparently nor does chippy’s assessor or Rocketman’s examiner
tachograph:
A small confusion of terminology, but In that case I agree the brake lights will come on before all of the “play of the pedal” is taken up, I also agree with an earlier comment about using the brake lights to persuade drivers behind who are too close to back off, done that myself
Still don’t agree that a driver should approach traffic lights with their foot on the brake unless it’s required though, covering the brake pedal without depressing it yes, but not actually depressing the pedal unless you’re using the brakes.
And apparently nor does chippy’s assessor or Rocketman’s examiner
tachograph:
A small confusion of terminology, but In that case I agree the brake lights will come on before all of the “play of the pedal” is taken up, I also agree with an earlier comment about using the brake lights to persuade drivers behind who are too close to back off, done that myself
Still don’t agree that a driver should approach traffic lights with their foot on the brake unless it’s required though, covering the brake pedal without depressing it yes, but not actually depressing the pedal unless you’re using the brakes.
And apparently nor does chippy’s assessor or Rocketman’s examiner
What I mean is if you are approaching the lights then the chances are the lights may change. So foot off the gas ,take up the play, activate the brake lights, engine breaking slows truck( depending on gradient ect) Then depending on what happens next the foot stays on and depresses the brake or it’s back to the gas or gear to go or whatever. I use this when meeting traffic, roundabouts, junctions ect depending on vision and so forth.
All I can say is give it a try if you have not already. There is a non urgent feel about hazards when used but practice is needed to get the feel of the brake pedal. In the book it also states which is very true, by using this technique you are more likely to brake earlier and lighter without the suprise stab.
There are various stages to using the brake pedal and depending on the cirumstances at the time, it depends to what stage a driver needs to progress to.
Stage 1 - cover but do not take up the play
Stage 2 - take up the play
Stage 3 - rest the weight of the foot and leg on it
Stage 4 - squeeze (not stab) down on the pedal
Stage 5 - progress the squeeze so that the majority of slowing down is done during the mid-braking session
Stage 6 - ease off the brake (but not quite fully) before coming to a stop - the vehicle now balances nicely
Stage 7 - squeeze again to fully stop.
ROG:
There are various stages to using the brake pedal and depending on the cirumstances at the time, it depends to what stage a driver needs to progress to.
Stage 1 - cover but do not take up the play
Stage 2 - take up the play
Stage 3 - rest the weight of the foot and leg on it
Stage 4 - squeeze (not stab) down on the pedal
Stage 5 - progress the squeeze so that the majority of slowing down is done during the mid-braking session
Stage 6 - ease off the brake (but not quite fully) before coming to a stop - the vehicle now balances nicely
Stage 7 - squeeze again to fully stop.
