Safer

Never Stall or Roll Backwards – Learn to Drive Safely in an Automatic!

Automatic cars are considered to be safer than manual vehicles. You will never stall or roll backwards in an automatic. You can choose to keep both hands on the steering wheel at all times if you wish. You can also completely relax your left leg as you drive, while your right foot will just alternate between touching the brake and the accelerator as the need arises.

There is a reason why over half of the cars driven in the Western Hemisphere today are automatics – and also why Ireland is catching on fast! Consider that immediately after World War II, 100% of cars driven in the United States were manual transmission vehicles, and today four out of every five cars in that country are automatics. After all, automatic transmission vehicles are not only easier to drive, but they also make our driving lives safer. Learning to drive in an automatic reduces accident risks by exponentially lowering the degree of driving difficulty.

Most importantly, an automatic car will shift gears without you having to worry about the clutch pedal. An automatic car only has an accelerator pedal and a brake pedal. This is a huge safety advantage over manual vehicles and a great advantage for new drivers as they prepare to take the test.

For example, consider the difficulty of negotiating uphill traffic lights. For any new driver, coordinating the handbrake while engaging the clutch on a steep hill with another vehicle just feet (or inches in some cases) from your rear bumper can be a heart-pounding experience. Driving an automatic in such situations is literally a piece of cake!

In summary, we can safely say that automatic vehicles are:

Less Restrictive

The safest way to drive is to keep both of your hands on the steering wheel at all times. This is not possible with a manual transmission.

Better on Hills

Navigating steep inclines from a dead stop can be difficult, even for experienced drivers. Automatic transmissions make hill starts a breeze, no matter how steep.

Unlikely to Stall

Stalling your car when the traffic light changes is a common fear for new drivers. Stalling only occurs on automatics if there’s a mechanical problem with the vehicle.

Easier in Heavy Traffic

Unlike manual cars, automatic transmissions allow the driver to move in heavy traffic without having to do more than push a single pedal.

Studies which monitor stress by measuring heartbeat have shown that drivers of manual-transmission vehicles experience significantly more stress than those in automatics. In fact, so great was the difference that it was found drivers of automatics experienced stress levels which were similar to those of their passengers!

With an automatic car, you will just choose your initial gear when the vehicle is stopped, and then the vehicle will carry out other gear changes automatically, unless you are reversing. Automatic gear changes will be based on the car’s speed and the pressure you apply on the accelerator. You will just use your right foot to control the accelerator and brake.

Conversely, a manual car will require you to shift the gears up and down yourself. This is why a manual car has three pedals - a clutch pedal, a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal. A manual car is more complicated to drive than an automatic car, involves both feet, and usually requires far more time to master.

Not only will you be safer in an automatic car, but today’s automatics are now so sophisticated that they routinely beat manual vehicles on petrol mileage.

Depending on your situation, there may be several other good reasons to drive an automatic vehicle. Remember that Autobility can provide you with Essential Driving Training and Pre-Test instruction on the day of your test.