Steering Wheel Position

[davidjpowell]

After an 'event' this afternoon when I had to take some extreme evasive action, I wonder how others hold the wheel.

To describe, I was planning to overtake a number of cars on a upcoming straight, after a right hand turning.

For whatever reason (I suspect either late braking, and indicating or non-working brake lights) I misread the first cars intentions. As I was about to start the overtake, it suddenly became clear that they were in fact turning right.

I had nowhere to go, apart from to swerve around her to avoid a confrontation. If I had not been holding the wheel at '10 to 2' there is no way I would have managed to complete the maneuver. I was very impressed with the cars composure under severe pressure.

Just wondered how others hold the wheel? I was lucky as I am normally more relaxed, and it was only the fact that I was preparing to overtake that meant I was more 'prepared'.

PS The assumptions and mistakes were mine, and I was lucky to get away with it. Some thinking to do on that - closest I have been to an accident for some time.

 

[Howard]

I tend to drive at ten to two , or one handed at 12 o clock , with arm on the ledge when in traffic.

ten to two most of the time though.

 

[JOB-BLACK-RAT]

10 to 2 using the Hendon 'push pull' system. Drive in all sorts of conditions and this will serve all................almost.

There are times 'its seems you have just had one', that a little freestyle is called for.

 

[s88]

After an 'event' this afternoon when I had to take some extreme evasive action, I wonder how others hold the wheel.

To describe, I was planning to overtake a number of cars on a upcoming straight, after a right hand turning.

For whatever reason (I suspect either late braking, and indicating or non-working brake lights) I misread the first cars intentions. As I was about to start the overtake, it suddenly became clear that they were in fact turning right.

I had nowhere to go, apart from to swerve around her to avoid a confrontation. If I had not been holding the wheel at '10 to 2' there is no way I would have managed to complete the maneuver. I was very impressed with the cars composure under severe pressure.

Just wondered how others hold the wheel? I was lucky as I am normally more relaxed, and it was only the fact that I was preparing to overtake that meant I was more 'prepared'.

PS The assumptions and mistakes were mine, and I was lucky to get away with it. Some thinking to do on that - closest I have been to an accident for some time.

With an upcoming right hand turn, did you not misread the road?
Or am I reading the mail incorrectly?

1. people dont indicate with sufficient notice to make their intent clear.

2. if i had a penny for every car I see with a defective light I would be rich.

3. Why dont they put a ledge for the right arm in cars? too high on the SL and nothing there or too low on the E class

S88

 

[st4]

10 to 2 and push pull steering. I also sit very close to the wheel for greater control over the car.

 

[trapperjohn]

Probably remiss of me but I am not fully consious of where I have my hands on the wheel.
I think it depends on conditions and how I read the road ahead and behind.
If I'm relaxed along with the road condition then its probably twenty past four - just the right hand. The left hand would be resting on my left thigh.
More intense conditions say motorway rush hour. Quarter to three, both hands.

Stands by for incoming I'll be more consious tomorrow of my wheel holding and vote accordingly..

 

[s88]

Probably remiss of me but I am not fully consious of where I have my hands on the wheel.
I think it depends on conditions and how I read the road ahead and behind.
If I'm relaxed along with the road condition then its probably twenty past four - just the right hand. The left hand would be resting on my left thigh.
More intense conditions say motorway rush hour. Quarter to three, both hands.

Stands by for incoming I'll be more consious tomorrow of my wheel holding and vote accordingly..

Left thigh!

Afiiad I suffer the same problem my dad used to shout daily when giving me lessons, I never had two hands on the wheel, always my leg, nose, gear knob or elsewhere!

A bad habit, now I have auto I still hover around with the left hand.

 

[JOB-BLACK-RAT]

If I'm relaxed along with the road condition then its probably twenty past four - just the right hand. The left hand would be resting on my left thigh.

Gag....cough........splutter......choke.....yak........

The SIN of the motorway auto gearbox driver

 

[flango]

10 to 2 using the Hendon 'push pull' system. Drive in all sorts of conditions and this will serve all................almost.

There are times 'its seems you have just had one', that a little freestyle is called for.

That is the best and correct answer and I'll tell you why.

If you don't hold the wheel at 10 to 2 then if you are involved in a crash the chances of having your wrists broken by the air bag increase dramatically. So imagine the worst (Like SWMBO roll over) holding the wheel at quarter to three airbag goes off snaps both wrists car rolls over sets on fire how you going to get out?

10 to 2 the airbag always throws your arms clear increasing your chances of survival, top tip

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Gag....cough........splutter......choke.....yak........

The SIN of the motorway auto gearbox driver

Erm.....
I tend to drive with my right hand at 12 o clock..., left hand doing numerous other things...
I thought that's what automatics were invented for???

 

[Frankie]

10 to 2, both hands on the wheel, much to the amusement of my friends when I was younger. Apparently it wasn't "cool", although most of them now tend to drive with both hands on the wheel.

 

[davidjpowell]

With an upcoming right hand turn, did you not misread the road?
Or am I reading the mail incorrectly?

1. people dont indicate with sufficient notice to make their intent clear.

2. if i had a penny for every car I see with a defective light I would be rich.

3. Why dont they put a ledge for the right arm in cars? too high on the SL and nothing there or too low on the E class

S88

I had seen the right hand turn, and was waiting to pass it before pulling out.

I thought that the car in front had committed to continuing straight-on, so was starting to put power on to pull out just after the turn. To find out she was making the turn after all. Had foot on throttle, so no chance of making brake, just managed to pull off full throttle, which might have made evasive action a tad more difficult.

It's not impossible I missed the lights, I may have been concentrating on the upcoming overtake too much. Certainly her road positioning etc. showed no intention to turn, until the last seconds. Every day is a learning day....

 

[Tiff]

I usually drive with my right ring finger through the spoke of the wheel, elbow on the armrest, unless my wheel alignment is out and it gets painful with just 1 finger.. I have to swap hands whilst smoking as I can't smoke properly with my left hand, always a nightmare when the phone rings, especially when going up through the 'box.. theres nowhere to put my coffee in a benz either.. I may have to try one of these modern "automatics" I don't have enough hands..

 

[JOB-BLACK-RAT]

I usually drive with my right ring finger through the spoke of the wheel, elbow on the armrest, unless my wheel alignment is out and it gets painful with just 1 finger.. I have to swap hands whilst smoking as I can't smoke properly with my left hand, always a nightmare when the phone rings, especially when going up through the 'box.. theres nowhere to put my coffee in a benz either.. I may have to try one of these modern "automatics" I don't have enough hands..

THUD.......
Well, thats answers the question 'if no one is there to see the traffic cop fall, will he make a sound'

 

[BlackC55]

I drive 1/4 to three with thumbs out. The same way I do when I am racing karts. I find the steering accuracy better and I don't have to take my hands off the wheel when going sideways.....on a private road.

BTW I dont race on the road.

 

[Tiff]

THUD.......
Well, thats answers the question 'if no one is there to see the traffic cop fall, will he make a sound'

I just hope no one asks the question " where do you put your hands whilst riding your motorcycle"

 

[219]

Anywhere from '10 to two' to '20 to four' , even the 'standard American driving position' when tootling along in slow traffic .

My grip on the wheel changes according to the circumstances . None of my cars have airbags , one has no seatbelts either

 

[219]

I just hope no one asks the question " where do you put your hands whilst riding your motorcycle"

Wherever I can keep them warmest

 

[Tiff]

Wherever I can keep them warmest

Don't even mention pillions hands....

 

[trapperjohn]

Gag....cough........splutter......choke.....yak........

The SIN of the motorway auto gearbox driver

Yup. Thats me. Auto box and all.

As from tomorrow. Ill do better. I knew being honest was perhaps not the best position here. So the thread is not a wasted one.

I shall just keep an eye out for how smokey and the wombles "assume the position" on the wheel on my stretch of motorways. I dont recall seeing many Panda drivers at ten to two recently.