Why do Women sit so close to the Steering Wheel?
Discussion
Does anyone have a sensible reason for this?
Makes me laugh when you see someone wedged up so close to the wheel, when you know they are of a similar height to a guy that would have the seat 3 or 4 notches back and have a "bit" of a ben in the arms. See it all the time, women sat so close it looks painfull, but when she gets out she will be a totally normal or even tall in height.
WHY????
Makes me laugh when you see someone wedged up so close to the wheel, when you know they are of a similar height to a guy that would have the seat 3 or 4 notches back and have a "bit" of a ben in the arms. See it all the time, women sat so close it looks painfull, but when she gets out she will be a totally normal or even tall in height.
WHY????
A couple of people I've spoken to about this feel vulnerable cos they can't see the bonnet.
Not necessarily just women, but also people who are used to older cars then get into a taller modern car with a sloping bonnet and a long way from steering wheel to base of windscreen.
They then sit as far forward as possible to see the structure of the car in front of them to get some reassurance from its presence.
I can't pretend to understand the logic.
When an airbag deploys into an occupant so close to it, the risk of severe injury and death increases exponentially. Unfortuately getting that through to a relatively uninterested motorist (note the distinction - motorist not driver) is a hiding to nothing.
Most worrying is the number of learners who you see pottering about cuddling the steering wheel, doubtless with the tacit agreement of the driving instructor next to them who ought to know better, but plainly doesn't.
Not necessarily just women, but also people who are used to older cars then get into a taller modern car with a sloping bonnet and a long way from steering wheel to base of windscreen.
They then sit as far forward as possible to see the structure of the car in front of them to get some reassurance from its presence.
I can't pretend to understand the logic.
When an airbag deploys into an occupant so close to it, the risk of severe injury and death increases exponentially. Unfortuately getting that through to a relatively uninterested motorist (note the distinction - motorist not driver) is a hiding to nothing.
Most worrying is the number of learners who you see pottering about cuddling the steering wheel, doubtless with the tacit agreement of the driving instructor next to them who ought to know better, but plainly doesn't.
Unfortunately I am a bit vertically challenged and therefore NEED to sit closer to the steering wheel than i would like. (Not as close as those mad people who I have seen driving around looking like they are licking the bloody thing!)
But in a lot of cases its probably just how the person feels most comfortable!
But in a lot of cases its probably just how the person feels most comfortable!
Nothing to do with height you see average height or tall women get out most of the time with the wheel MUCH closer than you would for a man of similar height.
It amazes me how you turn the wheel with the arms so bent.
I think they think they are closer therefor the THEY MUST be More in control.
Did not think on the airbag thing.
Maybe it is driver instructor lead?
It amazes me how you turn the wheel with the arms so bent.
I think they think they are closer therefor the THEY MUST be More in control.
Did not think on the airbag thing.
Maybe it is driver instructor lead?
Why do you think men are seen as worse drivers?? Its because of all the huge compo and medical claims paid out to all the stupid steering wheel licking woman drivers. Every time one of them has an accident it must look like they have gone 12 rounds with tyson and taken it all on the feckin face.
jellison said:
Nothing to do with height you see average height or tall women get out most of the time with the wheel MUCH closer than you would for a man of similar height.
It amazes me how you turn the wheel with the arms so bent.
I think they think they are closer therefor the THEY MUST be More in control.
Did not think on the airbag thing.
Maybe it is driver instructor lead?
It depends on what you mean by "so close".It amazes me how you turn the wheel with the arms so bent.
I think they think they are closer therefor the THEY MUST be More in control.
Did not think on the airbag thing.
Maybe it is driver instructor lead?
Most drivers sit too far away for optimal efficiency and control, as it happens.
mike325112 said:
I often wonder what would happen if they did have an accident, sitting that close the airbag would surely do more damage than it would prevent.
I suppose qualifying that by saying could, not necessarily would, but it's a coarse fabric balloon detonating in 35 milliseconds in your direction, a matter of inches from your chest, in a crash situation where your torso is moving yet closer to the wheel at great speed. So it can never be very good.
I have seen airbag deployments conducted in development tuning tests for out-of-position occupant scenarios where the bag can only deploy partially then contacts the dummy's chest, whereupon it unfurls in the only direction available to it - upwards - and breaks the neck.
I tell this to any driver I know who sits too close to the wheel for no discernible advantage of improved vision. One or two of them have even listened.
Oh, I recall one girl I knew years ago who sat in a completely bolt-upright position which looked both dangerous and uncomfortable. When challenged about it, she said that the seat had returned to that position after someone had got into the back, and she didn't know which lever to press to recline it again. So had driven with it in that position ever since.
She's now an incredibly successful lawyer. There's so much to be said for brains and common sense in equal doses.
paulmurr said:
My missus is only 5'1" so sitting close to the wheel is necessary for her to be able to drive.
My mum is also 5'1" so I made sure she bought a car with a steering wheel adjustable for reach and rake so she can be close enough to reach the pedals, but still have the wheel far enough away so the airbags don't kill her in a 30mph bump.
flemke said:
jellison said:
Nothing to do with height you see average height or tall women get out most of the time with the wheel MUCH closer than you would for a man of similar height.
It amazes me how you turn the wheel with the arms so bent.
I think they think they are closer therefor the THEY MUST be More in control.
Did not think on the airbag thing.
Maybe it is driver instructor lead?
It depends on what you mean by "so close".It amazes me how you turn the wheel with the arms so bent.
I think they think they are closer therefor the THEY MUST be More in control.
Did not think on the airbag thing.
Maybe it is driver instructor lead?
Most drivers sit too far away for optimal efficiency and control, as it happens.
Most women even the short ones sit much closer than the should (assuming they can reach the peddles) with arms closer to 90 degress!
My other half is 5' 2" but could defo sit back one of two notches and still reach the pedals and not have VERY bent arms.
Good point on the claims for women being so close resulting in mORE claims where the have hit the airbag or the actual wheel, as the are so close and the belt would barely have a have a chance to react.
Could be worse. I saw this daft student in a Clio driving near Kingston Uni today. Bass was stupidly loud, he was leaning back and to the right such that it looked like the doorpin was stuck in his ear. I think the yoof call this look "cool". I do remember laughing out loud.
I also mentally ran through the FAST stroke check list...
I also mentally ran through the FAST stroke check list...
BigLepton said:
paulmurr said:
My missus is only 5'1" so sitting close to the wheel is necessary for her to be able to drive.
My mum is also 5'1" so I made sure she bought a car with a steering wheel adjustable for reach and rake so she can be close enough to reach the pedals, but still have the wheel far enough away so the airbags don't kill her in a 30mph bump.
)TBH, she's already put one upside down in a cow field and walked away from it so I suspect that she'll be fine in most events
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