Comments on: Manual or Automatic: Which Makes for Safer Driving?

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:36:13 +0000

Jeff: That’s called confirmation bias.

By: Matty

Matty — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 03:24:34 +0000

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.

By: Jeff Chaplin

Jeff Chaplin — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 18:46:08 +0000

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.

By: Jeff Chaplin

Jeff Chaplin — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:39:15 +0000

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.

By: ralphW

ralphW — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:36:34 +0000

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.

By: Andrew

Andrew — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:57:09 +0000

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.

By: Michael Smith

Michael Smith — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:21:57 +0000

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.

By: Lloyd Alter

Lloyd Alter — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:17:07 +0000

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?

By: Gary Kavanagh

Gary Kavanagh — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:23:32 +0000

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.

By: Jack

Jack — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 20:53:46 +0000

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).