This is such a bad idea - even if simply because the person behind you has no signal that you are slowing (hence why you have brake lights). (1)
The best way to brake is to do so early and gently, reading the road ahead of you and anticipating that the person in front of you is about to pull out is far more effective than having to brake harshly. (1)
Basically you have two systems - the brakes are to slow and the gears to go; the two systems are designed to be used this way and are most effecient when used as such. Thing is if you're using the gears to change your speed in a rapid reduction in speed you can destabilise your car - exactly when you might then need a rapid change in diretion (bearing in mind you've just destabilised your car already). (2)
To stop (or slow) safely you have two options.
1) Releasing or easing off the acecelerator (gas)
2) Using the brakes (2)
Remember that if you're fiddling about with gears/OD when you're trying to decelerate severely then you've got one hand off your steering wheel - I'm sure that in that situation you'll want both hands on your wheel so that you can retain control of your vehicle or effect a manouver (2)
Basically using your gearbox to reduce speed as you've described is really bad priving practice and should be avoided at all cost.
(1) Source The official highway code, 2007
(2) Source - Coyne, Mares, MacDonald, Roadcraft the police drivers handbook 2007
The best way to brake is to do so early and gently, reading the road ahead of you and anticipating that the person in front of you is about to pull out is far more effective than having to brake harshly. (1)
Basically you have two systems - the brakes are to slow and the gears to go; the two systems are designed to be used this way and are most effecient when used as such. Thing is if you're using the gears to change your speed in a rapid reduction in speed you can destabilise your car - exactly when you might then need a rapid change in diretion (bearing in mind you've just destabilised your car already). (2)
To stop (or slow) safely you have two options.
1) Releasing or easing off the acecelerator (gas)
2) Using the brakes (2)
Remember that if you're fiddling about with gears/OD when you're trying to decelerate severely then you've got one hand off your steering wheel - I'm sure that in that situation you'll want both hands on your wheel so that you can retain control of your vehicle or effect a manouver (2)
Basically using your gearbox to reduce speed as you've described is really bad priving practice and should be avoided at all cost.
(1) Source The official highway code, 2007
(2) Source - Coyne, Mares, MacDonald, Roadcraft the police drivers handbook 2007
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