Have you ever had a friend or family member give you driving advice that you found hard to believe? These seem to always spiral into driving myths that spread like wildfire. For me personally, my mom would tell me my hands must remain at 10-and-2 on the steering wheel. I always questioned why everyone I saw driving was steering anything but 10-and-2, but being a new teenage-driver, I could never be correct.
This type of driving advice has good intentions, but some are either completely false or extremely outdated. We took some of the most-heard driving myths and solved them in this blog post.
Myth #1: Hands At 10-And-2
“Always drive with your hands at 10-and-2.”
In the old days, it was always the top suggestion to control and steer your car from the 10-and-2 positions on the steering wheel. As automotive technology has advanced, so have the ways of steering. Doug Herbert, drag racing champion and founded of B.R.A.K.E.S. Teen Pro-Active Driving School, thinks 9-and-3 is a much better steering position. “Positioning your hands at 9 and 3 allows the driver greater range of motion, and the ability to make potentially-lifesaving evasive maneuvers without ever having to take your hands off the wheel,” says Herbert.
Myth #2: Certain Times To Ignore Signs
“If no one is around, it’s OK to ignore a sign if it’s just a short time.”
Parking in a no parking zone with flashers on for 10 minutes is one thing… But driving the wrong way down a one-way street just for one block? That’s something completely different, and 1000x more dangerous to human life. Ignoring street signs can land you a small or hefty fine (avoid these by obeying signage!), but trying to cut corners by disobeying traffic laws is NEVER justifiable.
Myth #3: Speeding Won’t Always Get You A Ticket
“Everyone drive 5-10mph over the speed limit – you’ll cause a crash if you go under the speed limit!”
It doesn’t matter what type of road you’re on or what state you’re in – if you’re going anything over the speed limit, you’re giving law enforcement a reason to pull you over. I’ve noticed this happens more often if you’re driving out-of-state! Speed limits are in-place to protect everyone relative to the road: fellow drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. According to the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety), when the speed limit is enforced, drivers slow down, which in-turn saves lives.