My reason for asking is that when I was learning to drive it was drummed into me that the ONLY acceptable places for my hands to be on the steering wheel were either at 'Ten to two' or 'Twenty to four'. These days, though, it seems that rule has gone out of the window and I see many drivers (including police drivers on video) who think it's OK to cross hands, so that the right is sometimes on the left of the steering wheel and vice versa. To me that doesn't make sense - so why do some people do it? Apart from the fact that they must be idiots!
Crossing over of hands is nothing to do with tuition, but more like laxity and complacency. If you've been driving for 40 years and still passing the wheel through your hands, I would suggest that you aren't the norm.
I normally drive with my right hand at two o'clock with my elbow on the door rest and my left hand on the gear knob, ready to go to 10 o'clock. I've been driving that way ever since I passed my test. Crossing hands is (imho) stupid and downright dangerous!
Sounds about the same as me, but if I’m turning I can honestly say hand on heart, I won’t do it the way I was taught. Ie hands in the same position with the wheel moving through your hands. I doubt I cross hands but that is only dangerous if cornering too fast, that’s the issue.
I passed my Advanced Police Motor Patrol Officers Driving Course as a class 1 driver in 1978. I was taught never to cross my hands and don't do so now. It's not just hand position now that I see wrong on a daily basis these days, lack of lane discipline, failing to signal, driving like a snail on the open road etc etc etc. It seems driving instructors teach you the absolute basics to get you through your test and the rest is left up to the individual. My favourite hate is the lack of forward vision especially on dual carriageways, how many times do you see drivers fail to see the slow moving tractor ahead and end up being trapped behind it as they haven't pulled out sooner, I could go on but think you might get my drift.
A big assumption to make there. But no, I don’t. I was taught to drive in the army in a Bedford 4 ton truck without power steering so it was the hands at 10 and 2 and the pull and push method for steering. Then when I became a cop and I did what was called the standard driving course it was the same thing. I have also passed the advanced driving test, although I thought that whilst it taught good driving skills it was there to make money. It never helped me in getting any cheaper insurance.
Factually the roads have never been safer despite the traffic levels rising. There are plenty of poor drivers, there have always been plenty of poor drivers. The reason? Driving is easy, therefore people are complacent. Laziness and complacency are the issue, if you think there is an issue, not the training. ...and it wasn't better "back in the day"
I can still remember the words of my driving instructor (Mr Moon @BSM) who told me (50 years ago) "My job is NOT to teach you to drive - it's to teach you how to pass your test. You learn to drive once you've done that" He was quite right!
So why the snidey post? "Not like you to post a thread that implies that you’re right and and everyone else is an arse is it?" Regarding the emboldened text - That's been the cross to carry throughout my life, because invariably I am - which is not designed to make anyone the favourite kid on the block! Not a problem, though, that i can imagine you ever having to live with.
Ten to two or quarter to three I have heard of in my near 43 years of driving. I have never heard of anyone suggesting twenty to four which would surely be pretty awkward..
I think these days they teach to drive with just the one hand on the wheel . Once you’re able to do that , the other is left free to throw your bottles and cans into the verge , roundabout or slip road
Aye, reeto. Whatever you say grandad. That’s me firmly put in my place and no mistake. You’ve certainly given me what for.
Ten to two was always the way I was taught to drive. I suspect younger drivers have always been a bit reckless behind the wheel though until they grow up a bit. Nowadays people do even more stupid things like texting on their phones whilst driving which I think deserves a lifetime ban.
