[julianlam]

I think Malcolm Gladwell talks about this in one of his books, that in general, drivers of manual transmission cars get in fewer accidents because they simply can't do some of the things that those driving automatic transmission cars take for granted.

e.g. eating and drinking, putting on makeup, etc.

wrt "the feel of the road", I think much of that is already lost with drive-by-wire technology. I haven't really had that feeling since I sat in a friend's old 90's civic and stepped on the throttle. You can get a little closer with Mazda tiptronic, but it's basically like "playing cars" instead of driving a car.

[tentboy]

i've been driving manual for the last seven years pretty much exclusively and i used to think that, but ive certainly found myself in all sorts of unsafe driving predicaments where i end up revving out the car, shifting with my left hand, shifting with food in my hand, etc.

In the last few years ive made a point to reduce distractions while driving and no longer do this stuff, but the point being, once you get used to manual - you find a way to be dangerous driving it haha

[voisin]

I agree with this. The brain is very good at getting comfortable with something, automating it, and pushing attention to other more novel things

[fendy3002]

Still less dangerous than automatic. Automatic is easier to cause panic acceleration since they don't need to manage clutch and transmission (almost).

Not a deal breaker for automatic though. Calmer driving, better experience and safety driving can prevent it.

[dieselgate]

I really like how manuals often require less brake action by the driver. They normally just decelerate on their own or with a downshift

[aworks]

Not a general occurence but this reminds me of a taxi driver I had in Wuhan. While driving 50 mph on the shoulder of the highway due to traffic, he was steering with one hand, shifting with his other hand and continuing to smoke a cigarette. Then his phone rang and he held it up to his ear to take the call. I didn't know whether to be afraid or impressed...

[latexr]

> they simply can't do some of the things that those driving automatic transmission cars take for granted.

They sure can, though it may be more inconvenient. In addition to the examples given by a sibling comment, I’ve seen a guy on a car with manual transmission steering with his knee while using both hands to eat ice cream from a cup.

[dieselgate]

This makes sense and hadn’t really thought about it that way. My mom had her right (shifting side) arm amputated when I was younger and there were a few times we were driving and I’d do the shifting for her. Don’t remember why I didn’t drive in the first place (and for the record her personal vehicle was automatic, though she was a firm advocate of manuals). I think it’s funny looking back on it but can’t say it’s particularly safe

[__derek__]

If he wrote that, Gladwell seriously underestimates the adaptability of humans. We manage to do unsafe stuff just fine as the shifting becomes second nature.