Why do people drive with both hands on the steering wheel?

[Dari]

Unless you ambi-dexterous (sic?), it's very dangerous to drive with both hands. It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want. Things can get more dicey if the situation is critical, forcing you to think fast. I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel. Driving at 9 and 3 is dangerous IMHO.

 

[Nohr]

I don't see any race or stunt drivers using one hand, but they probably don't know wtf they're doing...

 

[Ilmater]

The prober position is 10 and 2, and there's nothing wrong with it. It keeps the morons from jerking their wheel in case of an emergency.

 

[Ilmater]

Originally posted by: Nohr
I don't see any race or stunt drivers using one hand, but they probably don't know wtf they're doing...

pwned

 

[PingSpike]

I crank steer with my left hand always. I picked it up when I started driving stick, now I do it on automatics even.

Edit: oh, and the reason people drive with both hands is because thats how you're suppose too. Or at least, thats what they say in drivers ed.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: Dari
Unless you ambi-dexterous (sic?), it's very dangerous to drive with both hands. It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want. Things can get more dicey if the situation is critical, forcing you to think fast. I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel. Driving at 9 and 3 is dangerous IMHO.

You're so manly its incredible.

 

[nick1985]

Originally posted by: Dari
I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel.

are you a thug?

 

[bmacd]

i don't have hands, so i use my knees to drive.

-=bmacd=-

 

[eLiu]

Because...if you ever need to respond rapidly, one hand is not going to turn that steering wheel as fast as two hands. Or at least that's the case for me.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: Dari
Unless you ambi-dexterous (sic?), it's very dangerous to drive with both hands. It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want. Things can get more dicey if the situation is critical, forcing you to think fast. I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel. Driving at 9 and 3 is dangerous IMHO.

You're so manly its incredible.

One would think that driving with one-hand would give you far more control over the steering wheels than with both hands.

Because...if you ever need to respond rapidly, one hand is not going to turn that steering wheel as fast as two hands. Or at least that's the case for me

You're telling me that it's easier for two hands to turn the wheel than one? I always thought it was the opposite. It's even more important if you drive manual.

 

[Chiboy]

I only use my left hand to drive, I'm right handed though... My hand is always in the 12:00 position.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Dari
I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel.

I cannot wait to see your face after you get into a car accident and the airbag deploys with your hand like that.

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: Dari
Unless you ambi-dexterous (sic?), it's very dangerous to drive with both hands. It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want. Things can get more dicey if the situation is critical, forcing you to think fast. I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel. Driving at 9 and 3 is dangerous IMHO.

from a guy who has driven quite a bit.. in rather tight situations.. let me tell you nothing is better than 3/9. When you want fast reflexes.. and solid control of a turn, the positions of 3/9 are the best.

12 o clock is for gangsta.... it is for the loser who believes in Bling. If you seriously think you can outhandle me with one hand.. your nuts..

When it comes to handle an understeer even an over steer if you happen to do that on a FWD car, then you wont have enough control with one hand on teh wheel. The only time one hand on the wheel works, is if your going in a straight line..

Even so I dont put it at 12, I put it at 3/9.. However the forces required to make a turn with one hand is a lot more with one hand. If I put it at 12 it would be a bit lesser, but it still isnt an acurate turn nor is it a turn with ease..

I suggest you drive with 2 hands.. cause your going to crash one day with your hand on the top of the wheel.. and if you got an airbag car, careful, it can deploy and break your hand if its in the 12oclock position.

 

[nageov3t]

I've always felt like it gives me better control.

if I'm driving with one hand, it tends to be my right hand and only because my left hand is sticking out the window.

edit: when I'm feeling really lazy and tired, I'll just keep my right hand at the 6 o'clock position.

 

[clamum]

Originally posted by: Dari
Unless you ambi-dexterous (sic?), it's very dangerous to drive with both hands. It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want.

I know it's really crazy, like coordinating both hands and all that

 

[Fingolfin269]

Chiboy driving with one hand at the 12 is not surprising.

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: Dari

You're telling me that it's easier for two hands to turn the wheel than one? I always thought it was the opposite. It's even more important if you drive manual.

I can definately steer faster using the crank method. However, one time my palm was sweaty, my hand slipped off the steering as I was turning and I nearly ran into a parked car. :Q

But thats what the brakes are for.

I assume you drive auto though, otherwise using your right hand to steer would really work that well.

Oh, and WTF do you think 9, 3 is dangerous? its the recommended position for shorter people.

 

[The Stigenator]

Originally posted by: Dari

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

Originally posted by: Dari
Unless you ambi-dexterous (sic?), it's very dangerous to drive with both hands. It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want. Things can get more dicey if the situation is critical, forcing you to think fast. I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel. Driving at 9 and 3 is dangerous IMHO.

You're so manly its incredible.

One would think that driving with one-hand would give you far more control over the steering wheels than with both hands.

Because...if you ever need to respond rapidly, one hand is not going to turn that steering wheel as fast as two hands. Or at least that's the case for me

You're telling me that it's easier for two hands to turn the wheel than one? I always thought it was the opposite. It's even more important if you drive manual.

Well in this case boy you think WRONG!

Trust me when I say 2 hands is way faster.. I drive a manual, and its almost imposible to make a turn while shifting gears - i know i have had to do it in an emergency. (needless to say doing that is not safe - a sudden loss / gain in traction can be really bad if the conditions arent right).

 

[Modeps]

I drive lefty,

:music:I've got one hand on my wheel... and the other's playing a piano!:music:

 

[Jzero]

Originally posted by: Dari
It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want.

Sure, if you have some sort of motor skills retardation, but in that case you probably shouldn't be driving at all.

For normal people (the ones who can close their eyes, extend their arms out horizontally from their sides and then touch their index fingers together with a reasonable degree of accuracy), there are a number of reasons that driving with two hands is safer, and most knowledgeable drivers know to use 2 hands at least in sticky situations if not all the time.

 

[Ynog]

Originally posted by: Dari
Unless you ambi-dexterous (sic?), it's very dangerous to drive with both hands. It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want. Things can get more dicey if the situation is critical, forcing you to think fast. I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel. Driving at 9 and 3 is dangerous IMHO.

I don't know about you, but both my hands are pretty good at doing things multiple things at the same time.

If you have trouble with two hands on the wheel, let me ask, How did you type that last message?
I mean typing involves more hand coordination than two hands on the wheel will ever.

 

[Dari]

Originally posted by: The_good_guy

Originally posted by: Dari
Unless you ambi-dexterous (sic?), it's very dangerous to drive with both hands. It can be hard to coordinate both hands to do what you want. Things can get more dicey if the situation is critical, forcing you to think fast. I like to drive with my right-hand (I'm right-handed) on the 12:00 position of the steering wheel. Driving at 9 and 3 is dangerous IMHO.

from a guy who has driven quite a bit.. in rather tight situations.. let me tell you nothing is better than 3/9. When you want fast reflexes.. and solid control of a turn, the positions of 3/9 are the best.

12 o clock is for gangsta.... it is for the loser who believes in Bling. If you seriously think you can outhandle me with one hand.. your nuts..

When it comes to handle an understeer even an over steer if you happen to do that on a FWD car, then you wont have enough control with one hand on teh wheel. The only time one hand on the wheel works, is if your going in a straight line..

Even so I dont put it at 12, I put it at 3/9.. However the forces required to make a turn with one hand is a lot more with one hand. If I put it at 12 it would be a bit lesser, but it still isnt an acurate turn nor is it a turn with ease..

I suggest you drive with 2 hands.. cause your going to crash one day with your hand on the top of the wheel.. and if you got an airbag car, careful, it can deploy and break your hand if its in the 12oclock position.

Driving at 12:00 has nothing to do with being "gangsta", cool, or a "thug. Most people, when they drive 9/3, they're clutching the wheels. I, on the other hand, lean (force) the lower part of my palm against the steering wheel. If you're steering wheel has excellent grip then you're fine. BTW, I've never driven FWD.

 

[Ynog]

Oh and if you think one hand is easier, find a car with no power steering. That should change your mind.

 

[Atomicus]

2 hands = more control unless your steering is as smooth as Erik Estrada.

When my friend transitions from 2 hands to 1, he yells out "RICE MODE" and then puts his lead foot on the gas... but frankly, a 2003 Geo Metro isn't that much of a confidence booster to begin with.

 

[oniq]

I drive with my thumb