Member Advice on Safe Driving

So you’ve past your test and are now an expert. Time to dispense with that namby pamby ‘Pull Push’ steering technique and steer like a proper driver.

Does this ring any bells?

This review is about different steering techniques. These views are my own and do not represent the views of any particular motoring organisation.

The steering wheel is a device that you turn in order to direct the front wheels of ...
...to go. Sounds simple enough, so what’s the big deal?

I am going to describe various steering techniques and the pro’s and cons of each.

PULL PUSH STEERING

This is the technique I use, and the technique I train other drivers (both car and LGV) to use. I use this method because I consider it safest, keeps you in control of the vehicle, and puts your hands in the correct place in the event of an emergency.
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So you’ve past your test and are now an expert. Time to dispense with that namby pamby ‘Pull Push’ steering technique and steer like a proper driver.

Does this ring any bells?

This review is about different steering techniques. These views are my own and do not represent the views of any particular motoring organisation.

The steering wheel is a device that you turn in order to direct the front wheels of the vehicle you are driving in the direction you want to go. Sounds simple enough, so what’s the big deal?

I am going to describe various steering techniques and the pro’s and cons of each.

PULL PUSH STEERING

This is the technique I use, and the technique I train other drivers (both car and LGV) to use. I use this method because I consider it safest, keeps you in control of the vehicle, and puts your hands in the correct place in the event of an emergency.
It is the method used when you learn to drive your car or LGV (Large Goods Vehicle formerly HGV).

So how do you do it?

Well, you should actually know, as you have been taught it in the past, but I will remind you, perhaps in a little more detail than you remember.

First we get comfortable and extend our arms so we can reach the far extremes of the top of the steering wheel without leaning forward. We then relax our arms and take up a position on the wheel somewhere between 10 to 2 and 20 to 4 (I am not rigid about a certain position, but let the driver choose where he is most comfortable). Relax your elbows and allow then to ‘sag’ down. Curl your fingers around the steering wheel but keep your thumb on top (in case you hit a pot hole and the steering wheel jerks around; it hurts and you could loose control of the vehicle). We should now be in a comfortable position.

Next. Imagine a line going from the 12 o’clock to the 6 o’clock position on the steering wheel. Your left hand stays to the left of this line, and your right hand stays to the right. If you want to steer to the right, slide your right hand around the wheel and stop just before the 12 o’clock. Now we pull down on the steering wheel to just before the 6 o’clock. As our right hand passes the left we mirror the movement of the right hand with the left. We should now be in a position where both hands are opposite each other to the left and right of the 6 o’clock position. Are you following this so far? Now we push with the left hand all the way to just before the 12 o’clock. At the same time we mirror this action with the right hand. Continue until the required lock is achieved. To take off this right lock we first pull down with the left hand and mirror this action with the right hand. When the lock is removed some slight adjustments should put your hands back in the correct driving position.
To steer to the left adopt the same procedure, always starting the steer with a pull.
All movement of the steering wheel should be smooth to aid grip and stability of the vehicle.

OK, that’s really boring, and only used when we learn to drive. When we are a ‘proper’ driver we can adopt a different method, just like a lot of people do.

WRONG

Advantages of this method are:

Your hands are always in the correct position to apply steering and to apply firmer grip and take action if a problem occurs (blow out!).
By pulling on the steering first a smoother steering action is achieved. This may not seem relevant most of the time, but it is crucial when travelling at high speed.
By using this method ‘jerky’ steering is eliminated (remember one of the causes of skidding? -- Harsh steering in relation to a speed which in itself is not fast).
It is comfortable.
One hand is always gripping on the steering wheel.

Disadvantages of this method are:

It is difficult to master.
It can feel awkward whilst we are learning to perfect it. A common mistake is where the driver ‘shuffles’ the wheel; use the WHOLE of the steering wheel.
It is for learners !!
It is for sissy’s !!
It is not cool !!
Regarded as ‘old hat’ and not necessary.

I have driven by this method for years and find it almost impossible to steer in any other way (there are some circumstances but will cover them later).

So what are the alternatives.

When we pass our test and no longer have the need for the above ‘learner’ steering technique, we adopt a ‘proper’ drivers steering method.

Rotational steering. Referred to by some as positive input steering. To us mere mortals we are talking about crossing our hands. Yep, it seems a lot easier. Yep, it looks cool. BUT, is it safe. Lets imagine we are steering around a bend, arms like spaghetti over the wheel and we get a blow out. Our hands are not in the best position to deal with this problem. To stand any chance of control you need your hands left and right of the steering wheel, ready to firm up the grip and steer. I am not saying you will always control the situation by having your hands left and right of the wheel, but it does give you the best chance.

I do not have a problem steering in this way for a slow speed manoeuvre. Should anything go wrong whilst we are doing this at a very slow speed (reversing into a tight spot) it doesn’t really create a problem. For example: if we got a blow out the vehicle would probably just stop.

A final word on safety on this one, and an issue that has only raised it head in the last few years. You are driving a modern car, steering by crossing your hands. Some loon comes out of a side road and you hit him. Airbag goes off. What are you gonna get in your face? Not a soft airbag on its own, but arms and hands with hard bones in them as well.

So how else do people steer their vehicles.

Quite a few ways really.

There are those who drive with their right thumb hooked over the wheel and their left hand on the gear stick. Are you one of those. Think about this one. I have given assessments to ‘experienced’ drivers and pointed this one out to them. Most don’t even realise they are doing it.

Then there is the one or two arm steer where the driver has his elbows locked, arms straight in front and grips the wheel right at the top.

There is the other old favourite; left hand somewhere on the wheel and the right either behind their head, or draped along the door, or elbow resting on the window.

‘Handle bar’ or ‘ship’ steering. This is where we maintain the grip on the steering wheel in the same position whilst steering. Like you would steer a bike with handle bars. The problem with this method is that we tend to exert more pressure with the pushing arm and consequently our steering can be jerky.

I am not trying to say that these methods are really dangerous. For most drivers in most conditions these steering methods cause no problems. It is when we get problems (blow outs/skids ect) where we need maximum control and need to react quickly, or for those involved in higher speed driving (emergency services). But I would like to think that the drivers I have educated in the pro and cons of different steering methods adopt the push pull method; for safety’s sake.

I have generalised about peoples driving. I certainly am not accusing all drivers of having bad steering habits. There are 1000’s of drivers who are very skilful and safe and adopt safe practices.

An almost final word about hand position on the steering wheel. When you stop at traffic lights or whatever, what do you do with your hands? I see some drivers slump over the wheel for a few seconds, relax back and cup the back of their head with their hands, go for the sweeties/fags with the left hand and dangle the right out of the window. I believe we should maintain our grip on the wheel and remain alert, looking for dangers and hazards all around us. By ‘relaxing’ our alert state drops away. I was once told of a dictionary definition of the word ‘alertness’; it was ‘the speed at which we can process information'.

My very last word (unless I think of something else). You are on the main road, turning right. You have to stop because of oncoming traffic. I am sure some of you have some steering lock on at this time anticipating making the turn.
Now think about this. You have some right lock on and someone whacks you in the rear. Which direction are you going to travel? Answer - you are probably going to be forced into the path of oncoming vehicles.
A simple but potentially dangerous practice. I would suggest you position yourself correctly and only apply the steering when you start to carry out the turn.

Hope you have enjoyed reading this review and found it helpful.

Stay safe.

I have put average in the boxes because none really apply.
 

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