OT: are manual transmissions safer?

[thwart]

Op-ed from the NYT:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/23/o...hift-cars.html

[Tickdoc]

Yes.

[pjm]

They’re good theft deterrents.

[Tony T]

Stick and crank windows!

[parris]

I haven't read the article but I can say that "for me" the standard in my car has had me more engaged and not on auto pilot when driving that car. It's also a hell of a lot of fun to row your own gears!

[R3awak3n]

I feel like man tran in the snow is safer.

[Peter P.]

I agree with the article.

However, at 58 years old, and nearing the market for a new car which I expect to last 20 years, I'm afraid that my driving skills might deteriorate with age, and driving a stick might become to difficult for my aging self.

I'm torn whether to stay manual or go automatic.

[simonov]

Totally makes sense. One of our family cars is a manual with very few computer based safety features. The other is a Volvo with almost every autonomous safety feature in the book. I'm a far more engaged and far better driver in the manual.

[buddybikes]

Having my first automatic in many years, I think in most cases manual is safer. Auto's roll when brake is off, std, stay put (unless on a hill). Certainly better in the snow. Tend to think more with std, of course it become more like a reflex driving one.

[AngryScientist]

not only safer yes, but i'm also convinced that there would be less traffic if everyone drove a manual trans. less tendency to just zone out and stop dead as opposed to keeping it in gear and rolling through.

[BobC]

Friend of mine bought a manual transmission car for his teenage daughter to prevent her from texting while driving (he didn't tell her that though). Pretty clever I thought.

[William]

Originally Posted by BobC

Friend of mine bought a manual transmission car for his teenage daughter to prevent her from texting while driving (he didn't tell her that though). Pretty clever I thought.

Exactly my thought, much safer by just that aspect alone. hard to text and talk on the phone while running through the gears with one hand and holding the wheel with the other.

I started driving with a manual and have been mainly driving manuals my whole adult life. Add to that many years through NE winters with no issues at all...you just have to know how to properly drive one in the slick.

Theft deterrent? These days absolutely.









W.

[sailorboy]

Originally Posted by BobC

Friend of mine bought a manual transmission car for his teenage daughter to prevent her from texting while driving (he didn't tell her that though). Pretty clever I thought.

StephenCL and I had this very discussion a few years ago regarding teaching our kids to drive a stick...unfortunately the only one I have is a '16 GTI with an aftermarket downpipe so it's probably NOT the car I want to release my 'hounds' with. I should probably look for something closer to what my Dad taught me on--first up was a '65 ford pick-up with 4 on the floor, and after that a Peugeot 504 diesel wagon. Boy did that thing have zero acceleration. This was while living in central Vermont so yea, driving was not a mindless passing of time there.

[wooly]

Originally Posted by BobC

Friend of mine bought a manual transmission car for his teenage daughter to prevent her from texting while driving (he didn't tell her that though). Pretty clever I thought.

I did this exact thing for my sons. My middle one, now 18, hated it. In fact he boycotted and I said here's your bus pass! He relented, learned on it and is the better for it. I really am a believer in this now (manual drive limiting ability to fudge with phones). My youngest boy, now 15.5, is learning on mom's automatic but knows what's coming. He's already complaining but he knows our resolve...



Plus, I drive this car sometimes and its great fun. Almost a classic haha.

[72gmc]

Originally Posted by wooly

My middle one, now 18, hated it. In fact he boycotted and I said here's your bus pass!

We did the same with my now 19-year-old, and she's still using a bus pass. I let her learn some basics in my old truck (in a parking lot) but her only option for the road was Mom's stick shift Honda, and she bailed. I'm just fine with that.