Holding the wheel in passenger cars in countries with driving on the right and left side depending on the driver’s side preference

M. Hruška*, P. Vaculík, M. Kůrka, T. Hajlich and P. Benda

Czech University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Technological Equipment of Building, Kamýcká 129, CZ165 21 Praha 6, Czech Republic
*Correspondence: jabko@tf.czu.cz

Abstract:

This paper deals with the assessment of the differences in how passenger car drivers hold a steering wheel with left and right-side steering in specific driving modes. The findings are compared to the generally-accepted optimal position in terms of active and passive safety, as well as long-term effects on the health of the driver. The research described in this work was conducted on a sample of randomly selected drivers in the Czech Republic, the UK and Australia using electronic questionnaires. The data was then subjected to a statistical evaluation, which looked primarily at the difference between the way in which the steering wheel was held in countries with driving on the right and driving on the left. Another parameter for statistical data evaluation was the used side preference of individual drivers. On the basis of a statistical evaluation of the obtained data, it was found that there is a difference in the way the steering wheel is held in the assessed traffic situations between drivers driving on the right and drivers driving on the left. The results of this work can be used in the design process of passenger car cabins, in particular in the field of adaptation of the control devices of particular models to the needs of drivers in individual countries based on the type of traffic. The results of the work point out the necessity to make innovations in the design of passenger car cabins with regard to the type of traffic in which the vehicle will be operated, which could lead to a better application of innovations, and thereby better possibilities of positively influencing traffic safety and the health of drivers.

Key words:

Driver, hands, left-hand, posture, right-hand, side preference, steering wheel, traffic

Assessment of the actual hand position on the steering wheel for drivers of passenger cars while driving

M. Hruška

Czech University of Life Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Technological Equipment of Building, Kamýcká 129, CZ165 21 Prague 6, Czech Republic
*Correspondence: jabko@tf.czu.cz

Abstract:

This work deals with the assessment of the actual position of the hands on the steering wheel of drivers of passenger cars in specific driving modes. The findings are compared with the location that is generally considered to be optimal in terms of both active and passive safety, and the long-term effects on the health of the driver. The research described in this work was carried out on a sample of randomly selected drivers in the Czech Republic. For all of the measurements, one identical neutral passenger middle-class vehicle, with which none of the test subjects had previous experience, was selected. The reason for this research was to model a normal situation where the driver controls a vehicle with his hands on the steering wheel in a position that is only the result of his or her own intuition and the subjective sense of the driver’s comfort. On the basis, of a statistical evaluation of the obtained data, it was found that the introductory hypothesis, which states that a significant part of the tested sample of drivers holds the steering wheel in an unsuitable manner, can be confirmed. This fact negatively impacts not only on the reduction of active and passive safety, but also affects the health of drivers who drive a large amount of kilometres annually. The results of this work can be used in the design of cabs and modern passenger car systems that will be able to motivate the driver to hold the steering wheel in an optimal way. This will directly affect road safety and positively influence the health of drivers.

Key words: