How should we hold the steering wheel

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 3:27 am

When i started driving i used to have my left hand on the top of the wheel and my right on the gear stick... Lately i've realised that holding the wheel with both hands and leaving the right hand only when you have to change gears (just like racing drivers), feels more secure/stable/sure. I was also wondering, are there any data or statistics that shows how safer is to drive with 2 hands rather than with 1 ? thanks you guys Smile

Driver Joined: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 124

It is strongly recommended that we use both hands when driving. Check out this link. There is a detailed discussions of the reasons why. http://www.garageboy.com/fahrt/steering.html

Simply, we need both hands on the wheel for maximum steering control, and to reduce our reaction time to a sudden problem in the flow of traffic or with the road.

Driver Joined: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 124

I ran across this Video that shows the correct way drivers should steer. It was designed for the UK. Note the two hands on the wheel. Two hands on the wheel is an universal rule for driving safety.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YraKhQ6Fhjw

Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 3:11 pm

yes i'm familiar with the code but sadly, hardly anyone takes it into consideration... nice job finding these information man. Only one question though , i think Hand over Hand (thats what i do) is a better technique than push and pull... What's your opinion ?

Driver Joined: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 124

Remedith wrote:

yes i'm familiar with the code but sadly, hardly anyone takes it into consideration... nice job finding these information man. Only one question though , i think Hand over Hand (thats what i do) is a better technique than push and pull... What's your opinion ?

Push and pull. At this link you will find a through discussion on steering techniques: http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=109&i=8194

Site Admin Joined: Jan 06, 2010 Posts: 485

I learnt how to drive here in uk...and my instructor took ages just explaining to me how the 'push and pull' hand movement worked. I thought I'd never 'get' it, seemed so awkward at the beginning, but finally I leant it. There are many times that I feel tempted to drive with one hand, or to let the steering 'spin' back when turning, but I have to keep reminding myself to stick to what I'd learnt! It certainly gives you better control... though it's true that hardly anyone follows it after a few years of experience driving....

Driver Joined: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 124

myownworld wrote:

I learnt how to drive here in uk...and my instructor took ages just explaining to me how the 'push and pull' hand movement worked. I thought I'd never 'get' it, seemed so awkward at the beginning, but finally I leant it. There are many times that I feel tempted to drive with one hand, or to let the steering 'spin' back when turning, but I have to keep reminding myself to stick to what I'd learnt! It certainly gives you better control... though it's true that hardly anyone follows it after a few years of experience driving....

Yes. The temptation to do what feel easier, or cool, and to convince ourselves that we aren't taking any chances, because we know what we're doing, is always so strong. But! Well, anything can dart out in the road ahead of us, or a bad driver could just pop out from anywhere, and its best to be able to react as quickly as possible. It's best to stick to the safest techniques. The difference in reaction time could be the difference between injury or not. Enough preaching, but we are here giving our opinions.

Site Admin Joined: Jan 06, 2010 Posts: 485

agree with you defunzy! Always the voice of reason here....! Smile

(you must be one great driver!)

Driver Joined: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 124

myownworld wrote:

agree with you defunzy! Always the voice of reason here....! Smile

(you must be one great driver!)

Thank you for the compliment.

Member Joined: Jan 14, 2010 Posts: 14

Well in my drivers ed class they taught us to put our hands at the 9-3 (if you were looking at a clock) As for the turning and grassping the wheel, I do what feels comfortable, and it depends on the driving conditions of the road. Sometimes I am eating or doing something else. Go by your own judgement and what is comfortable to you, not what everyone else is doing! Thats what will get you in an accident! Smile

*link snipped*

Member Joined: Jan 12, 2010 Posts: 41

Even if one hand driving is comfortable then better stick to it...use the other hand to change your gears.......

Driver Joined: Dec 30, 2009 Posts: 124

I am not an expert, but all the sources I can find say that driving with both hands on the wheel is the safest.

Site Admin Joined: Jan 06, 2010 Posts: 485

sriram wrote:

Even if one hand driving is comfortable then better stick to it...use the other hand to change your gears.......

...and if it's an automatic, then to change c.ds!!! Just kidding! Wink

I actually agree with defunzy...it's just so much safer with two hands...more in control that way.

Member Joined: Jan 12, 2010 Posts: 41

yeah in automatic gear system u have both the hands to control steering.

Member Joined: Feb 02, 2010 Posts: 26

The correct way to hold the steering wheel is the 2 o clock position.. It makes you easy to steer easily wherever you need to turn.