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Comment by civilian | Hacker News Reader

I delivered pizza one summer in a manual. I can't ever go back. :D I really think that driving manual requires you to be more attentive... and I should look to see if traffic accidents data backs me up.

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Not sure if that's the case. While I love manual transmission, I would rather argue that it is more dangerous as you're often forced to have one hand away from the steering wheel, which makes it harder to react quickly.

How many people keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times (not counting smokers or idiots on their cellphones)? Also quick reactions are usually done with your right foot on the brake, not by swerving wildly around.

If I'm driving on slippery roads, both hands are on the wheel so I can counter-steer immediately if I need to. If I have to take my hand off the wheel to shift, I've just decreased my ability to quickly counter-steer, which is especially important if I make a mistake with the shift and accidentally apply too much power to the wheels.

I would be very interested to know the accident rates of manual transmission vehicles in North America, compared to the average. I agree that all else being equal, the added difficulty in driving them should result in a higher rate. But the added attention/engagement required could be an opposing factor. It's also possible that people inclined to buy manual transmission cars are better drivers on average. (I suppose it's also possible they're more aggressive, worse drivers on average too, although I would expect the former.)

Number of hands on the steering wheel has nothing to do with reaction time.

No, but it determines how well you can steer. Especially in sharp turns you usually have to shift down/up. If there's an obstacle (perhaps a person), both hands on the wheel will give you more room to steer in both directions. You'll be much more limited with one hand.

You don't shift up/down in turns, but before and in the exit path out of them.

I (and many others) do. After a traffic light on a large intersection you will have to (or at least should) shift to second gear with most cars before you're clear of the intersection.

It really depends on how you one-hand: arms locked at 12 o'clock, leaning toward the center is a terrible position, but left hand at 9/right hand at 3 (for RHD cars) is perfectly fine for steering response.

This is truly a non-issue once you actually learn how to drive a manual transmission well. It isn't like people keep both hands on the wheel anyway. I'd even argue that people with a manual transmission might react more quickly since they are used to at least keeping both hands readily available anyway. If it is that urgent, you forgo shifting the car.

I've always driven manual transmission and still think that. I often find myself steering with one hand through corners to shift up in time. And I could observe the same with others.

Of course it doesn't feel dangerous if you always do it that way. But that doesn't mean that it isn't. But as there are probably no studies for that it's just speculation.

Once you're done shifting you put your hand back on the wheel.

Driving around constantly holding onto the stick is a bad habit

It should be reflected in your insurance rates.

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