Older motorists have been told to “avoid” buying this one type of vehicle for safety reasons. Automatic cars are generally easier to drive than manual vehicles because road users don’t have to remember to press down the clutch or shift gears.
It makes automatic vehicles much easier to handle in urban areas and around city centres where stop/start driving is more common. However, although these cars are much easier to drive, the Older Drivers Forum stressed they “do not recommend” motorists suddenly switch from a manual car to an automatic petrol, diesel or electric model. Elderly motorists have built up an element of muscle memory from all their years behind the wheel, and making the switch at this stage of their lives could cause serious confusion.
The experts said: “We at the Older Drivers Forum do not recommend people suddenly change from a manual to an automatic without having some driving lessons. Unfortunately, we hear of far too many pedal confusion incidents happening to drivers when they change from a manual to an automatic without getting some lessons to get used to the differences.
“Pedal confusion incidents happen because the driver presses the accelerator instead of the brake.”
The issue is likely to be more prevalent now than in previous years with a recent increase in the demand for electric vehicles. Every electric car available for sale in the UK has an automatic transmission, meaning older drivers may make the switch without even realising.
As well as being generally easier to drive, automatic cars can usually offer better fuel efficiency and can be cheaper to maintain. Experts at the RAC said that road users may become “totally perplexed by the lack of a clutch pedal”.
They also highlighted the concerns around pedal confusion with motorists running a real risk of being caught out.
The RAC explained: “Although automatic gearboxes are generally very easy to use, the confusion comes when starting and stopping.
“When you get into a car with an automatic gearbox, it is important to remember that you need to start the car and then keep your foot pressed on the brake pedal to shift the gear selector from park to drive or reverse. You should also ensure the gearbox is always left park before you engage the handbrake and switch off the engine.”
