Good Motoring
Footwear should be secure
H. Kishie Singh 

IN the recent past there were accidents of a rather bizarre nature. In one case a car drove through the plate glass window of an in-out store. In another, a car rammed through a wall. In both cases the drivers were women; in both cases the reports read that, by accident, the accelerator had been pressed.

One does not have to call in Sherlock Holmes to figure out what happened. The right foot slipped off the brake pedal and on to the accelerator pedal. The brake pedal is higher than the accelerator pedal, and if the foot slips, it has nowhere to go except on to the accelerator. So, instead of braking, the car picks up speed and drives into whatever is in front.

Why does this happen? And only to ladies? It is a fact that lady drivers are better on the road than the male species. They don't drive to impress, as males do. They maintain a steady pace; they are not given to road rage. By and large, they observe rules of the road because they do not have the aggressiveness of the male. Taking all parameters of driving, a lady behind the wheel is a better driver than her male counterpart. Insurance figures reflect this.

So why does this happen? It is the footwear! Chappals with a noodle strap running through the thumb and first finger that holds the sole to your foot. This is not enough. Maybe also high heels which don't allow the foot to move fast and efficiently to work the foot pedals. Keep in mind that you have two feet and three-foot pedals to control. If the foot is not secure in a shoe, there is every chance a mistake will be made and an accident will be the result. It would be a good idea to wear a pair of shoes that encompass the whole foot in a secure grip, and carry your party shoes separately. You can slip into your party shoes after you have parked the car.

Any amateur rally driver, when he gets behind the wheel of his car, has spent time and money selecting two items — footwear and gloves. The footwear has to be an ankle boot, soft material and laces that can be tightened to make the driver feel his feet will obey his command. Gloves are equally important. Leather gloves, which the rally driver wets to make sure he has a secure hold on the steering wheel. Wetting the gloves makes sure they fit the hands like a second skin, and provide a secure grip on the steering wheel. If you cannot control the steering wheel, the car is like a bucking bronco, completely out of control!

It is common sight to see drivers with cotton gloves driving cars. The steering wheel is usually a synthetic material and cotton gloves will provide no grip. On the contrary, they will slip. On the expensive cars, the steering wheel is leather. A very good reason for this. The grip of your hand on natural material is better. Do not, repeat, do not use the steering wheel covers offered in the market. They make the steering wheel thicker, and ergonomically not acceptable. The manufacturers have taken into consideration the average length of the human fingers, both of ladies and gents, and the steering wheel circumference is designed for those fingers to grip the steering wheel. Increase the circumference of the steering wheel and your grip will be less secure on the steering wheel.

Over the years, the leather steering wheel also gets polished and will be smooth and slippery. Damp hands will ensure a good grip. It would be a good idea to carry a moist towel in a zip-lock bag to wipe your hands and keep them moist.

Winter is here and the heater in the car is bound to find favour. The heater throws out hot dry air, which will dry out the hands. Keep them moist. Moisturiser or cream would make them slippery. The damp towel is your best bet.

The air flow vent has several settings. Use the one which directs the hot air on to the feet. The foot well warms up and the hot air rises into the rest of the cabin, making it warm and comfortable. If you use the vents which direct the air into your face, it will dry out your hands and also your eyes. The eyes are kept moist naturally. Directing hot dry air into the face will dry out the moisture and cause eye problems.

Happy motoring.