Is it poor driving practice to allow the steering wheel to slide in your hands as you "unturn" during a turn?

Question

I am a senior and, when I learned to drive, test points were deducted if I allowed the steering wheel to slide in my hands. My daughter's driving instructor told her that it is OK to do that. Have the rules changed over the years? Is it OK to let the wheel slide as long as you think you have adequate control while it happens?

Answer 1

I do it. That automatically makes it right.

Answer 2

I'm a senior also, and i'm telling you it is not safe to let the wheel slip in your hands. If you hit a pot hole it can turn the wheel faster than you can grab it. Stearing a car is hand and hand, meaning you may slide your hand on the wheel. say your making a right turn, pull on the wheel with your right hand and let the wheel slide in your left hand. Now slid your right hand back and contenue pulling to make turn. The wheel has to be worked with both hands so one hand always has a hold on it. You won't to see how this is done, watch a police officer drive, or a race car driver. I think your daughter miss under stood what her driving instructor was saying. If you know how, by all means show your daughter.

Answer 3

I've done this... off and on.

for the most part I don't, I just release and grab again when I need to. I'm going to have to go out and pay more attention to my hands!

However, I think it's perfectly fine as long as you have control.

EDIT:

I paid attention to my driving yesterday, and it seems I keep my hands on the wheel and hold it through a turn. I don't slide the wheel in my hands. I follow through with the turn, and then turn the wheel back. I tried "sliding", but I wasn't comfortable doing it.

Answer 4

He was really trying to help you. That was not fair. You describe yourself as being slow because you are cautious. Being cautious is necessary but you do not have to take forever to do it. In a real life situation, there are cars coming. Your being slow would hold up those cars. Traffic can not be held up because one is bound to smash right into you and then you will be upset, especially since you might just happen to have a baby on the back seat. Practice rear parking until you can almost do it as easily with your eyes closed. I know, it was the bane of my life, too. Just get somebody to come with you and practice, taking your time in this case, to get that three point system well understood and with you in control of the car. Despite what you think it will do, the car is designed to respond to your instructions, or the way you move the wheel , evey time you do it. don't be sh*tty with the instructor. Be grateful. He has, in all probability, saved your life.

Answer 5

When I took my test, the method was to pass the wheel through your hands, not let it slide. Maybe they've dumbed down the driving test like they have everything else.

Answer 6

When I took my driving test we weren't aloud to let it slide and I am 28 now. They were pretty strict on the driving test. Maybe things have changed.

Answer 7

To answer your question, yes it is poor practice. Educate and train with the proper techniques and rules, then when they have learned the right way, they can adapt their experiences and skills to the lot.
The instructor obviously slacked on his advice. It is not ok and it was poor personal judgment.

Answer 8

well, cars were different back when you learned to drive, power steering hasn't always been available.

when you turn and then let the wheel slide in your hand the car is going to straighten itself out.

Answer 9

I think whatever is comfortable to you, or what you think is better. If you feel like you can do it the other way... then do it.
I mean...
everyone is different... and now there aren't any rules on that I think. And I think you do have control you are coming out of a turn.
So I think it's ok.
That's what I would do.
Stacy M.

Answer 10

Yes it is bad driving practice to do this. Lindsay

Answer 11

Yes, you wont pass your test if you drive like that.