Discussion
I'm not sure if this is advanced driving or not, but with cars becoming increasingly sealed and also with music/phones etc, you are being cut off from outside.
So, in town i drive with my window open about an inch so i can hear a siren from further away and can try to figure out where is is coming from.
Is this worthy of discussion or is there any reason why i shouldn't do it?
So, in town i drive with my window open about an inch so i can hear a siren from further away and can try to figure out where is is coming from.
Is this worthy of discussion or is there any reason why i shouldn't do it?
As a bike (motorised) rider, I am grateful :-)
I never bother with windows down as such, though it's a good idea for reasons you said, but I don't have a stereo blaring either.
I don't like the safety aspects of all this driver cocooning at all, in any guise. But I'm terribly old fashioned, apparently.
I never bother with windows down as such, though it's a good idea for reasons you said, but I don't have a stereo blaring either.
I don't like the safety aspects of all this driver cocooning at all, in any guise. But I'm terribly old fashioned, apparently.
I have never been told to do it but I nearly always drive my coach with the window down when driving round town. I don’t do it on m’ways or if it is really cold and wet but otherwise it it pretty much open all the time
I can’t really explain it but it does give some kind of extra connection to the outside world
I can’t really explain it but it does give some kind of extra connection to the outside world
When I am attempting to pull out of a junction in heavy traffic (especially to turn right), I nearly always wind the window down. With a clearer view of you, you then become a fellow motorist, and not just another car.
On the other hand there are certain areas where I have the windows shut - with the doors automatically locked.
On the other hand there are certain areas where I have the windows shut - with the doors automatically locked.
darkblueturbo said:
One of many little phrases I remember from my old IAM observer… “when in town, windows down”
My IAM observer told me the exact same thing. I also open the windows when emerging from blind junctions. Not just in town, but it works great in the countryside as well when trying to exit an overgrown junction. Sherpa Kev said:
My IAM observer told me the exact same thing. I also open the windows when emerging from blind junctions. Not just in town, but it works great in the countryside as well when trying to exit an overgrown junction.
Too right, if you are driving in a Cornish lane you'll hear another vehicle in the lane or tractor pulling out of a blind field gate well before you will see them, an added layer of safety to being able to stop within the distance you can see.Any additional senses to navigate the road, or enhancement to existing sense, is a good thing. All about the taking, using and giving of information. Sense of smell can be useful too, bovine defecation, spilt fuel on the road, summer bin lorry waft e.t.c.
That said, I find myself frequently involved in a separate argument over wearing earphones on a pushbike. People try and argue that by doing so you are unable to hear what is behind you. However, I am able to see what is behind me and by constantly checking my shoulder / peripheral vision every few seconds that picture is updated regularly. More to the point though - at what point ever did a cyclist deduce by the sound of approaching traffic to the rear their exact position on the road? At what point did a cyclist ascertain the road position of a car by the sound of it's approach, and take avoiding action accordingly?
Then you have the fact that mostly all you can hear is wind noise past your ears as you cycle on at 20mph plus anyway.
On a motorbike, sound is significantly reduced by way of helmet insulation and engine noise - don't see people being pedantic about motorbikes though. And deaf people are able to drive / ride with no issue too.
That said, I find myself frequently involved in a separate argument over wearing earphones on a pushbike. People try and argue that by doing so you are unable to hear what is behind you. However, I am able to see what is behind me and by constantly checking my shoulder / peripheral vision every few seconds that picture is updated regularly. More to the point though - at what point ever did a cyclist deduce by the sound of approaching traffic to the rear their exact position on the road? At what point did a cyclist ascertain the road position of a car by the sound of it's approach, and take avoiding action accordingly?
Then you have the fact that mostly all you can hear is wind noise past your ears as you cycle on at 20mph plus anyway.
On a motorbike, sound is significantly reduced by way of helmet insulation and engine noise - don't see people being pedantic about motorbikes though. And deaf people are able to drive / ride with no issue too.
I remember when I first had a convertible I hadn't expected one of the benefits to be better situational awareness. The visual part is very much roof dependent but you hear much more with the roof down compared to tin-tops with the windows down or on a bike (where you have significant amounts of padding around your ears).
Unpleasant on concrete motorways or at high speed, but very useful in general driving.
Unpleasant on concrete motorways or at high speed, but very useful in general driving.
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