What is the recommended foot placement when starting a vehicle?

The recommended foot placement when starting a vehicle is to position one foot on the brake and the other on the dead pedal. This method emphasizes safety and control. By keeping one foot on the brake, the driver ensures that the vehicle remains stationary, particularly in automatic transmission vehicles. The dead pedal, which is typically located next to the footwell, provides a place for the driver’s left foot to rest without interfering with the controls, promoting better posture and more ergonomic use of the pedals.

This practice also helps prevent accidental acceleration when starting the car, especially if the vehicle is in gear. It reinforces the habit of maintaining a controlled environment when starting the engine, setting a good foundation for safe driving behaviors.

In contrast, having one foot on the brake and the other on the accelerator could lead to unintentional acceleration, which is unsafe. Placing both feet on the brake pedal does not provide proper use of the accelerator when needed. Lastly, using one foot on the accelerator and one on the clutch applies primarily to manual transmission vehicles, which may not apply in a context where automatic transmission is prevalent, thus not aligning with the recommendation for general vehicle operation.