Misc Thread VI: Return of the Threadi

[tankinbeans]

[tankinbeans]

Didn't get many pictures. Took many people derping around, but I got this one.


The sign says "Free Honks - Give her a squeeze."

[AHTOXA]

That photo makes you look like a leprechaun.

[tankinbeans]

That photo makes you look like a leprechaun.

Not the first time.

[Tups]

After observing the traffic in St. Petersburg for one day and taking a taxi to the airport (paid 25% extra after he went up to 120 kph in downtown streets), I will never drive in Russia. These people are outright insane. Still, did not see any accidents, and only a few cars had fender bender damage.

[Squint]

After observing the traffic in St. Petersburg for one day and taking a taxi to the airport (paid 25% extra after he went up to 120 kph in downtown streets), I will never drive in Russia. These people are outright insane. Still, did not see any accidents, and only a few cars had fender bender damage.

No wonder they all have dash cams.

That's interstate speeds in the downtown of a major city...

[MisterTwo]

How can I explain hand over hand steering in a way that makes sense? I've tried demonstrating, and explaining and any number of other things, but my roommate cannot grasp the concept and consequently swings über wide during a simple turning maneuver.

Twenty-five years ago I worked as a driving instructor for a year so I know how frustrating this can be. A couple of suggestions, you may have already tried or thought about but anyhow here goes.

(Excuse the use of the female pronoun below, this is an assumption on my part as my experience was that I had more trouble teaching this to women than to men.)

1) Can she do the hand-over-hand motion in a stationary vehicle just letting her hands slip over the steering wheel? If not, start there. Outer hand starts the motion, inner hand drops when it feels natural to do so and crosses on top, grabbing the wheel at around 12:00. By the time this is done the outer hand should be feeling awkward and start to release, grabbing the wheel somewhat before the 12:00 position. Lather, rinse, repeat. She should be able to do this with her eyes closed too. Also with the body twisted in the seat as if reversing. Sometimes I had to resort to actually touching a student's hands and guiding them. I wouldn't let the student start the car until they had demonstrated mastery of this.

2) When you say she swings wide, do you mean she counter-steers in preparation for the turn, or fails to make sufficient steering input to accomplish the turn? Assuming you mean the latter:

3) Most directional control issues have a root in the line of vision. Most new drivers look WAY too close to their vehicle, which tends to make them hyper-aware of the perception of the sides of the vehicle. If you can get her to come through the turn looking well ahead down the new roadway, you will likely find that most of the problems resolve themselves. You can try holding a book or clipboard horizontally under her chin which will have the double effect of a) forcing her eyes up and b) she can't see what her hands are doing and so maybe less confused.

4) Ensure she can control the recovery by gradual acceleration and letting the steering wheel slip though her fingers. If she has trouble with that, in a controlled environment have her stop with the wheels turned and accelerate into a straight line.

Good luck!

[theholycow]

Clipboard blinder is a great idea!

I thought letting the steering wheel center by slipping through your hands was improper and not to be taught or encouraged. It's what I do, but I've been known to occasionally do things that are improper...

[Rope-Pusher]

Clipboard blinder is a great idea!

I thought letting the steering wheel center by slipping through your hands was frowned upon and not to be taught or encouraged. It's what I do, but I've been known to occasionally do things that are English...

Fickset

[Rope-Pusher]

The Fireworks down on the Detroit River are over. Another excellent show. I've actually been down there to see them in person twice now - but I watched them on TV at home with the jams cranked up this year. (We'll argue that the Detroit River is actually "The Straits of Detroit", and then we'll argue that "Lake St. Clair" is really more like a wide river than a lake)

[Squint]

Clipboard blinder is a great idea!

I thought letting the steering wheel center by slipping through your hands was improper and not to be taught or encouraged. It's what I do, but I've been known to occasionally do things that are improper...

It's probably considered bad form as you are ever so briefly relinquishing control of the vehicle (never mind that you could close your hand again).

Besides, things are dangerous enough with cows driving, much less letting Hay-zeus take the wheel...

[theholycow]

Besides, things are dangerous enough with cows driving, much less letting Hay-zeus take the wheel...

Us cows stopped trusting Hay-Zeus after his lighting lit the hay field on fire and we had to graze elsewhere.

[zenfiz6]

Besides, things are dangerous enough with cows driving, much less letting Hay-zeus take the wheel...

Us cows stopped trusting Hay-Zeus after his lighting lit the hay field on fire and we had to graze elsewhere.

Not that any cows have ever been implicated in causing their own fires.

P.S. Good to see everyone.

[Squint]

Besides, things are dangerous enough with cows driving, much less letting Hay-zeus take the wheel...

Us cows stopped trusting Hay-Zeus after his lighting lit the hay field on fire and we had to graze elsewhere.

Not that any cows have ever been implicated in causing their own fires.

P.S. Good to see everyone.

They have VERY good legal representation through the Unified Defense of Dairy Emitting aRson Setters. Or UDDERS, for short.

P.S. Good to have you back - I'm back in school, I know that insanity.

[zenfiz6]

Us cows stopped trusting Hay-Zeus after his lighting lit the hay field on fire and we had to graze elsewhere.

Not that any cows have ever been implicated in causing their own fires.

P.S. Good to see everyone.

They have VERY good legal representation through the Unified Defense of Dairy Emitting aRson Setters. Or UDDERS, for short.

P.S. Good to have you back - I'm back in school, I know that insanity.

UDDERS fell short in the O'Leary case. That could be why Chicago isn't so safe for cows.

Indeed, students and exams and prepping for classes (indeed, re-writing classes) got to me for most of the last school year. I'm teaching a summer class, but otherwise... playing with the Audi and re-starting running (I want to lose the last 10 lb of flab.... but did I have to choose summer to start this? Sheesh...)