Many years ago, I got the bootlace of my right boot caught in the door of the car I had just jumped in. Driving off posed no problems as my foot easily reached the accelerator. The difficulty came when I went to brake and found my foot was restricted by the bootlace, and did not reach the brake pedal. I was able to brake using my left foot in time to avert disaster. I am extra careful to ensure my bootlaces are firmly tied now!

Recently, I had a similar incident with a 2014 Hyundai i20 Active 1248 petrol, which could have been avoided, had I used my own advice to always pump the brake pedal before driving off.

The motor was in the workshop for the brake pads to be replaced, and the job had been completed, all bar the important task of pumping the brake pedal to set the pads. I was unaware that the last action had not been completed and moved the vehicle out of the workshop, I managed to back out and then drive off without the need to apply the brakes. Only when I reached the first junction did I realise my mistake.

I did reprimand the mechanic who had completed the brake pad change. I will admit, the buck stops here, and so the moral of the story is to always pump the brake pedal when getting in any vehicle, just to be sure.

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