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.

[AJosiahK]

would agree as well. for the most part better on gas and better in the snow. though boston traffic can be awful. My next few cars will likely be manual as well.

Always felt driving a manual allowed the user to be a bit more in tuned with the drive and terrain. I kind of like that idea. Though our teenage kids might not care, I hope it focuses more emphasis on safe driving.

[mcteague]

Unfortunately, in today's market, manual shifting can really hurt resale value. So few know how to drive stick anymore. I suppose sports cars are the exception. How many "normal" cars even offer manual transmission these days?

Tim

[Llewellyn]

It seems to me that virtually all cars built after about 2011/12 have an automatic transmission and it's really really hard to find a manual these days - is it the same in the States?

I've always driven (and prefer) manuals - it just feels as if I'm in control rather than the car. My current drive is a 2006 Corolla and I fear that if it ever needs replacing it might be almost impossible to find a manual.