Women's driving position

peterattheboro

peterattheboro

peterattheboro

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Was stuck in traffic last night and in the lane next to me was a woman in an Astra or something. I've noticed this time and time again.

A woman's typical driving position....

Seat all the way forward, woman sat bolt upright and hands at 11-1 o' clock position and her elbows nearly resting on the bottom of the steering wheel.

She didn't look particularly short either so she could easily reach the pedals.

Surely she cannot safely control the vehicle and if she were to have a crash, she'll either:

a: have the airbag crush her ribs and die
b: fly off the nearest cliff as she can't steer if she were to lose control of the vehicle and die
c: ???
d: profit :D

One more thing which isn't related... why do really really fat people choose to drive Clios?
 
God know why they do it, but more often than not they do. I had to teach my girlfriend not to drive like a pleb, although explaining that the airbags could very well kill her when sat that close helped a bunch.

peterattheboro said:
One more thing which isn't related... why do really really fat people choose to drive Clios?
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It's small cars in general, I've seen the fattest people in the world get out of Matiz's, Atoz's, Yaris', etc etc.
 
They have different arm proportions compared to guys. It's why they throw like girls. They're not people, like us. :p
 
Yep, passed one this morning to which my other half commented on how she was sat in the car like she was knawing on the steering wheel but she was also completely oblivious to anything. She was in the right lane of a dual carraigeway going slower than the left lane and holding me and a few others up, and she was turning left 400 yards down the road... ARGH.

I think sat in that position they have no way to use any of the mirrors and concentrate really hard on going forwards. The amount of people who have no idea you're behind them or alongside them is getting worse and they all sit with their chin on the dashboard and one step from having their head completely up their rear end, which obviously suits them.

If these people had to react to anything out of the ordinary they will crash, get hurt, claim compo and recieve get well cards for their own selfish ignorance.
 
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I don't care what position they drive in I just Love the effect a seatbelt has on there Norks. :cool:
 
stockhausen said:
Do you have a source for this theory or is it just speculation :confused:
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Firing your nose into your brain (esp if they have their arms in the way which they probably do)? Suffocation after deployment?

Could very well happen, airbags aint a polite pillow to rest your face on. They can burn too.
 
It's explosives going off in your face, it's not very pleasant. It's the same reason why you shouldn't have a baby seat in the front with the front passenger airbag enabled.
 
A friend of my missus drives like this. She gets into the car then slides the seat as far forward as it will go. She isn't exactly a small girl and her **** actually touch the steering wheel when she drives.
 
Yup, according to a PSA or documentary a few years back, they inflate at c. 150mph (i.e. quick enough that they inflate before you hit them). If you're sitting too close, they will inflate at 150mph into you, which isn't fun, and if there's something between you and it, like your arms, they will be knocked backwards and hit your face at 150 mphish. Fun times. :D
 
stockhausen said:
Do you have a source for this theory or is it just speculation :confused:
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Death might be a little strong, but I'm sure the owners manual for the car will warn that the airbag can cause injury if you are sat too close, and that you should have the seat as far back as you can while remaining in control.

As for the position, I can't fathom it at all. Can't think of a single reason why you'd want to drive in such a retarded position.
 
Clarkey said:
Death might be a little strong, but I'm sure the owners manual for the car will warn that the airbag can cause injury if you are sat too close, and that you should have the seat as far back as you can while remaining in control.
...
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Following a wee Google, it appears that the recommendation is that one should sit at least ten inches from the steering wheel although there are also suggestions that some recent airbags can detect the distance and/or the weight of the driver / passenger and act accordingly.

Clarkey said:
...
As for the position, I can't fathom it at all. ...
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Judging by this thread (always a risky idea), quite a few people do sit very close to the steering wheel.
 
Taken from the Dept of Transport:

Correct driving position

Whether or not an airbag is fitted, drivers should sit as far back as reasonably possible from the steering wheel.

Given the speed and force with which an airbag inflates, it is vitally important that you always wear your seat belt and that you do not sit too close to the steering wheel. For example, advice in the US and Canada, where they have had experience of airbags for many years, is that the distance between the centre of the steering wheel to your breastbone should be at least 10 inches (25 cm); in their view this provides a clear margin of safety. However, since airbag systems differ from car to car, you should always check and follow specific advice from your vehicle manufacturer.

The key points are:

* Always wear your seat belt.
* Position yourself as far away from the steering wheel as possible, but make sure you can maintain safe control of the vehicle.
* If you must have your seat pushed forward in order to reach the pedals, slightly reclining the back of your seat may help move you back sufficiently from the steering wheel.
* If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downwards so that the airbag points towards your chest rather than your head, but make sure you can see the instruments clearly.

If you find you still have to sit too near the steering wheel in order to drive properly then you should contact the vehicle manufacturer's authorised representative for advice. You should explain how far you can sit from the wheel and ask whether they consider this would put you at risk of serious injury from the airbag. If they think you are too close to the airbag they may be able offer practical assistance or advice to help you sit further back. If this is not possible, and the manufacturer considers that because of your proximity to the steering wheel you would be at appreciable risk from the inflating airbag, they may offer to disconnect it or install a cut-off switch.

Although there is no specific legal requirement for cars on the road to have an airbag, disconnection would be very much a last resort, since the airbag forms part of an overall safety package specifically designed for the particular vehicle. Therefore manufacturers do not generally recommend disconnecting airbags, although it may be appropriate in some exceptional circumstances.

In these cases it would be reasonable for a manufacturer to impose certain conditions before disconnecting an airbag, such as requiring replacement of the steering wheel and possibly the seat belt since these components may have been specifically designed and approved for use with an airbag. They may also require you to accept the responsibility for having the airbag disconnected and for any effect the disconnection may have on any other driver of the car. Of course, the airbag should be reconnected before the car is eventually sold. Finally, your insurance company should be consulted and kept informed.
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I see this all the time too, understandable (possibly) if there's no interest in driving (in a matiz, corsa etc) but I saw a woman in a new BMW M5 driving like this a few weeks ago ???
 
I hate seeing people driving like this. I mean are you retarded. How can you make a sharp steering input or correction. They barely have space to shuffle the wheel when they are sat so close.
 
Funny when you see a Barrie driving, leaning forward with his head leaning into the middle.
 
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