Off Topic Has driving tuition changed?

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I use my knees but if it’s particularly busy I’ll put my right hand at 8 o’clock with my left arm round the passenger seat headrest.
 
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https://www.drivejohnsons.co.uk/lea...aqs/can-you-cross-hands-in-a-driving-test-uk/

https://www.driving-school-beckenham.co.uk/pull-push-steering-methodmobi.html


Some points to consider there.
One point i never saw mentioned is to keep your thumbs from folding inside the steering wheel.
If you go over a pot hole you could snap them on the spokes if the wheel snatches.

Agreed, you may pass your test by driving to a standard on the day but once passed you are still always learning and it is your duty to keep abreast of highway code etc.

I passed my HGV 1 at 21 and have a motorbike licence.
If anyone wants to learn how dangerous the roads are or how many inconsiderate arseholes frequent them i suggest taking up two wheels as a mode of transport ;)

Is the standard of driving worse now than say 30 years ago ?
I would say yes.
For starters there are more people on the roads so more idiots and thirty years ago nobody was driving round txting etc.

Am i a good driver ?
Well i take it seriously so that puts me above most i would say, although I'm prone like everyone to make mistakes, in 36 years of driving i had one ticket for no L plates age 17.
One speeding ticket in 1988 and have 36 years no claims bonus.
Touch wood that long continues.
Do i speed ?
Who doesn't ? ;) :D
 
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Owld Feller said:
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!
Click to expand...
You are not supposed to have your hand at 10 and 2 due to the fact that you are likely to suffer pretty bad injuries if you have an accident and the airbag is deployed. It has been like this for quite a while.
 
Right foot on the big brake, right hand flick the lever into drive then release the parking brake then right hand at 12 o'clock, 2 hands on wheel when making a manoeuvre then cruise with right hand at 12 o'clock again. Never crossed hands.
 
cumbrianmackem said:
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.
Click to expand...

Aye, they teach you how to start the car and change gear and that but that's just mechanical actions and a piece of piss. Being aware of your surroundings and anticipating potential problems is what driving is to me. And I know a fair few numb nuts who think thay can drive but have the awareness of a sloth on smack and no amount of teaching would be able to change that.
 
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QWOP said:
You are not supposed to have your hand at 10 and 2 due to the fact that you are likely to suffer pretty bad injuries if you have an accident and the airbag is deployed. It has been like this for quite a while.
Click to expand...

If that is the case, where do they now suggest?
 
Nig said:
https://www.drivejohnsons.co.uk/lea...aqs/can-you-cross-hands-in-a-driving-test-uk/

https://www.driving-school-beckenham.co.uk/pull-push-steering-methodmobi.html


Some points to consider there.
One point i never saw mentioned is to keep your thumbs from folding inside the steering wheel.
If you go over a pot hole you could snap them on the spokes if the wheel snatches.

Agreed, you may pass your test by driving to a standard on the day but once passed you are still always learning and it is your duty to keep abreast of highway code etc.

I passed my HGV 1 at 21 and have a motorbike licence.
If anyone wants to learn how dangerous the roads are or how many inconsiderate arseholes frequent them i suggest taking up two wheels as a mode of transport ;)

Is the standard of driving worse now than say 30 years ago ?
I would say yes.
For starters there are more people on the roads so more idiots and thirty years ago nobody was driving round txting etc.

Am i a good driver ?
Well i take it seriously so that puts me above most i would say, although I'm prone like everyone to make mistakes, in 36 years of driving i had one ticket for no L plates age 17.
One speeding ticket in 1988 and have 36 years no claims bonus.
Touch wood that long continues.
Do i speed ?
Who doesn't ? ;) :D
Click to expand...
That’s why I haven’t had a motorbike in the last 15 years. Thankfully I was never taken out but like any motorcyclist I’ve had my fair share of near misses. My last bike was an R6 but over the last year I had it I road 17 miles on it. Figured out that with becoming a dad it wasn’t worth it any more and sold it. The last time I rode a bike was five years ago and that was taking my mates bike from one house to another - a total of 3kms.
 
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old lads fan said:
Right foot on the big brake, right hand flick the lever into drive then release the parking brake then right hand at 12 o'clock, 2 hands on wheel when making a manoeuvre then cruise with right hand at 12 o'clock again. Never crossed hands.
Click to expand...
What’s this “release the parking brake” you speak of.

I’ll add this piece, do as your told by the driving instructor until you pass your test then drive how you feel is the best for yourself. Being comfortable and in the best position. I have car, class 1 hgv and full pcv, I drive all three in different ways adjust and adapt what’s best.
 
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When i did my driving test all was going well until i came to a green light and stopped. The instructor asked what i was doing and i said making sure that the intersection was safe.
Anyway, this carried on for a while with me being cautious and stopping ate every green light.
Finally the instructor lost his patience and said "who taught you to drive" to which i responded "my brother.
Kept going and came to a red light so i floored it. The instructor crapped himself and said "what the f*ck do you think you're doing, that was a red light." To which i responded, "My brother might be coming the other way"
 
Owld Feller said:
An answer from @QWOP about what hand positions are being taught today would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
With there being so many multi nationals being in the country now not every country had the same rules and driving regulations as we did when you took your test in this country, so someone who now lives in this country but who took their test in another country will drive differently from you. Even today there are some countries that allow certain things in a test that we in this country do not allow. Hope this helps.
(Disclaimer I don't know if this is true but it sounds good and I'm not racist)
 
Comfy said:
With there being so many multi nationals being in the country now not every country had the same rules and driving regulations as we did when you took your test in this country, so someone who now lives in this country but who took their test in another country will drive differently from you. Even today there are some countries that allow certain things in a test that we in this country do not allow. Hope this helps.
(Disclaimer I don't know if this is true but it sounds good and I'm not racist)
Click to expand...

I don't give a monkey's where they came from or where they took their tests BUT in the UK they must abide by our standards.

If they're not prepared to do that they should return from whence they came - apart from Ms Sacoolas who should be dragged back if necessary!
 
Does it really matter where your hands go, as long as you're in proper control of the motor vehicle? Surely that can vary from person to person on the basis of physique, stature etc. Is the 10 to 2 thing not just a general suggestion.
 
Owld Feller said:
I don't give a monkey's where they came from or where they took their tests BUT in the UK they must abide by our standards.

If they're not prepared to do that they should return from whence they came - apart from Ms Sacoolas who should be dragged back if necessary!
Click to expand...
I'm only suggesting that other nationals might have been taught by way of their country which could mean that crossing of hands was OK to do, you've obviously seen someone do this as you wouldn't have asked the question. Maybe that person you saw did not learn or take his or her driving lessons/tests in this country. Question answered.
 
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