Is it safe to drive a car with one hand?
According to esure, two million drivers have crashed or were close to crashing while driving with only one hand. A scientific report published in April 2012 found that two-handed driving is better than one-handed driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends keeping your hands in the nine o'clock and three o'clock positions for the safest driving position. In many cases, we may find ourselves with one hand on the steering wheel, including with food and drinks in hand.
Here are some things to know about safety when driving with one hand on the steering wheel:
The 2012 study cited above found that those who ate while driving had a 44 percent reduction in reaction time. If the reason you are driving with one hand is because you are eating, that is dangerous because if the car suddenly stops in front of you, it will take you almost twice as long to stop than if you were holding both hands on the steering wheel.
The study also found that those who drank a drink while driving were 18% more likely to have poor lane control. If you drink water or soda, you may find it difficult to stay in the center of the lane. This can be dangerous if a vehicle tries to overtake you and you accidentally swerve into its lane.
Positions nine and three are now the norm for hand placement due to airbags. The airbags inflate when the vehicle is involved in an accident and are designed to prevent impacts on the steering wheel and dashboard. As soon as the airbags deploy, the plastic cover pops out. If your hands are too high on the steering wheel, the plastic can hurt you when it opens. So keep both hands on nine and three to minimize the possibility of injury.
According to NHTSA, front airbags saved about 2,336 lives each year from 2008 to 2012, so they matter when it comes to safety. To be even safer, keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel at nine and three.
Driving with one hand is not a good idea because you don't have as much control over the car as if you were driving with two hands. In addition, driving with one hand while eating or drinking is even more dangerous. The correct hand position is now nine and three to keep you safe in case of an accident. Although many people drive with one hand from time to time, the risk of an accident is slightly higher than with two-handed driving. In general, make sure you are always aware of the road to ensure safety.
