It is always very important to keep your hands in the correct position, both when they are still on the steering wheel and when they are moving. In the city, hand movements are continuous; on the road, they are only necessary when dealing with a sharp bend. The general rule is: hands only move on the steering wheel when absolutely necessary.
Movements should never be random; as always when driving, instinctive reactions can be dangerous. Let's look at the techniques to use to best tackle every type of bend.
In the case of wide bends – which require a steering angle of less than 170° – we maintain the basic 9 and 3 o'clock position. The steering wheel should be "pulled", not pushed: in the case of a right bend, it is the right hand that applies the force and "pulls" the steering wheel downwards, so that the manoeuvre is more precise. This avoids losing sensitivity on the steering.
In the case of tight bends, however, we must apply precise techniques, to be adopted as an alternative depending on the situation. The milking technique is recommended for low speeds, for example in the city, but is not suitable for emergency situations. The dynamic technique is used on the road even for very tight bends (e.g. a hairpin bend). The crossing technique – the most common and instinctive – is recommended for parking manoeuvres but especially in the event of a skid, when a lot of quick counter-steering is needed.
Do you want to discover these techniques in detail and many other tips for safe and conscious driving? You can find everything in our manual Sicuri al volante, available in paperback on Amazon and in eBook and paperback on Lulu.
