Manual or Automatic: Which Makes for Safer Driving?
Reader Andrew writes: “We have two cars, both with manual transmissions and have two teenage daughters that had little choice but to learn how to drive with the stick shift. There was some grumbling from the teenagers and some specific concerns from my wife about how the clutch might survive. But in the end, they both learned how to drive stick and I think they are safer drivers because of the manual transmission. This is extension of one of your main points of the book — the more driving-related things that demand your attention, the more carefully you drive. You learn to pay much more attention to the car itself through awareness of RPMs (both through the gauge and aurally).”
Andrew’s comments struck a chord, because while researching the book I had looked in vain for some definitive answer to the whole manual/automatic debate. Indeed, my editor, a manual advocate, had egged me on in this regard. But alas, it seems to be one of those enduring “mysteries” of driving, beyond easy research (if anyone knows of anything please advise). John Groeger, author of Understanding Driving has done some cognitive psychology work on “automatic” behaviors, like shifting — his argument was that any task, however, seemingly minor, is never purely automatic.
There are arguments both ways. As Andrew suggests, shifting provides a better sense of engagement with the vehicle and feedback with the road and driving environment (it has also, of course, been more fuel efficient, though the gulf seems to be disappearing). The very necessity of shifting would seemingly prevent the driver from engaging in as many non-driving tasks (though I’ve talked to many people who say that’s simply not the case, citing people quite regularly talk on a hand-held cell phone while shifting with one hand and simply not gripping the steering wheel for a moment). On the other hand, if every action like shifting requires cognitive workload, then stripping out the task of repetitive shifting would seemingly free resources, leaving the driver with spare capacity to look out for hazards, etc. (in an ideal world, mind you).
I tend to instinctively side with the manual shifters — on the idea that a more engaged driver is a better driver — though, ironically, I drive an automatic. So maybe it’s a moot debate. As to which is safer, I suspect it all comes down to the individual driver more than the shifting system. Many European countries where manual shifting is still more prevalent do have superior traffic safety records to the U.S., but there are so many differing variables (driver demographics, driving environment, etc.) that it would be well-nigh impossible to sift out shifting as any kind of prime mover. Even looking at crash records of manual versus automatic cars would be murky (e.g., do different types of people drive each type of car, are they driven in different sorts of places, are the types of cars in each case similar, etc.). So I remain on the sidelines. How do you all feel out there? Any militant manual trans types? Any automatic partisans? Anyone know of any real research?
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This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at 8:36 am and is filed under Cars, Drivers, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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January 7th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I am a far more attentive, and hence safer, driver when I am driving a manual. Automatics feel like sitting on the couch to me. The new automatics that have a virtual-manual mode help a bit, although since I know there is a lazy safety net, they are not as useful as a true manual (also because many of them have noticeable lag between action and response).
The plural of anecdote is not data, but that is my experience. (Whether or not it’s a fact in my case, that I believe it probably helps make it true
January 7th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Engagement with shifting responsibilities, whether in a car or on a bike, improves handling, efficiency and safety IMO. I’ve seen too many drivers with diverted attention with a cup of coffee, cell phone and cigarette in hand while trying to change CDs in automatics. Two hands plus two feet are needed to drive manuals and driving one with a cell phone in hand creates serious problems. We should raise our standards and perhaps we should require licensing tests to be done in manuals only (special exemptions for handicapped only, of course).
January 7th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
I no longer drive, but when I did I had a perfect driving record and used an automatic. However I also didn’t engage in other activities while driving, not even a radio since after it was stolen I never bothered to get a new one. When I first learned to drive I was unnerved by the lack of sound awareness I had from cycling and always drove with windows slightly open on both sides of the car to hear behind me. I think I would be in the camp that it probably only makes a marginal difference between auto and manual and has more to do with the individual behind the wheel.
January 8th, 2009 at 9:17 am
Years ago I used to joke about how hard it was to manage a clutch, a gearshift, a coffee, a cigarette and a cellphone all at once and that something had to go. I quit smoking. When my daughter turned sixteen she burst into tears because both of our cars are standard and there was so much to learn at once. She, like me, would now never own anything but- lower cost, better mileage, longer life, more control, what’s not to like?
January 8th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
I am firmly in the manual camp.
In addition to the above-mentioned factors contributing to the manual-as-safer perception, I’d like to add that manual shifting gives drivers a much greater awareness of their speed at any given moment. Whatever safety benefits derived from this awareness are likely indirect, but - as mentioned above - anything that feeds the driver more information about his or her environment can only help mitigate inattention-caused accidents.
January 8th, 2009 at 3:57 pm
When I owned an automatic transmission car, the nagging feeling of not having a proper grip on the thing never went away even after a few years. As long as they make them, I will drive a manual.
If 6 anecdotes are data, we see that those who prefer shifting tend to take driving more seriously in general. Yet while some manual trans types are cautious fogies, others are hot rodders.
Simply convincing people to NEVER eat while they drive would have a far greater impact on highway safety than getting everyone to drive a manual.
January 9th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
I got my first drivers license in my 30s, for various reasons, and have always driven an automatic (and have driven over 22 years now without a ticket or significant accident, knock wood). I do everything I can to be a safe driver, and to stay alert to what’s happening around me. Though I wish I had mastered a manual trans. somewhere along the line, I can’t imagine how one could help me do what I need to do on the road, which is:
pay attention, keep centered, and flow with the traffic.
January 9th, 2009 at 7:39 pm
When I first started driving I was sure that manual shifting was best, based on reasons similar to those posted above. However, after now having driven an automatic for many years (due to my wife’s unwillingness to learn to drive stick), I must respectfully disagree with most of the above commentators. In my opinion, it makes no difference at all in terms of safety whether one’s car is automatic or manual - what REALLY matters is the quality and attitude of the driver towards other road users (including those pesky cyclists and pedestrians). And I would even lean towards the driver of an automatic as having the edge when it comes to safety and consideration - how often do we see the Manual shift driver refuse to yield to pedestrians at a STOP sign because they can’t be bothered to shift back into 1ST to get going again and therefore rudely push through just so they don’t have to go lower than 2ND? Further discussion welcome.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:46 pm
Here’s another example that supports my position. A few days ago, College St, Toronto, Eastbound. Two traffic lights are fairly close together….I’m in the right lane and the other (MANUAL) driver is in the left lane. Our light turns green, we both move off. I see / hear him shift, 1, 2, 3, 4. And then the light ahead turns AMBER…about 60 metres in front of us and we are going about 55 km/hr so NO PROBLEM to stop. I slow down nice and easy but this Manual Guy (”Oh no, boo hoo, poor ME, please don’t make me shift all the way up again!) hits the gas and goes through a LONG RED light at 65 km/hr. Fortunately neither he nor any innocent third party ended up the in hospital.
November 18th, 2009 at 9:24 pm
I’ve had both manual and automatic, as a driver I prefer manual and I really do feel more engaged while driving. While some argue that there are those that cannot be bothered to shift down for that stop sign/pedestrian I will also point out that there are those of us who will not shift up unnecessarily because we know there is a stop sign coming while those with automatics feel free to floor it the next 50ft or so only to have to stop again. The amount of effort required to drive that way in a manual is ridiculous and so most will opt for sane speeds between stop signs. Honestly, once you become familiar enough with a manual it is not a big deal to stop and go in 2nd gear which negates the issue of first. Although I will admit that is an issue of proficiency that not all manual drivers will possess. But I think it all goes back to the individual behind the wheel, I have seen plenty of people driving automatics run red lights too, you cannot assume that the person driving a manual is running it for the reason of having to shift down, they may just be a jerk and if you put them in the same position with an automatic the same thing would happen anyway.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:36 am
Jeff: That’s called confirmation bias.