I know it has to do with laws of motion but I don’t understand why they aren’t applied in the same way to the driver.
In: Physics
You’re holding onto a steering wheel and your feet are planted; one on the pedal and probably one on the foot rest or the outboard side of the foot well.
EDIT: Also, you are anticipating the turn.
As a driver, you are aware of the motions the car is going to make before it happens, while the passengers are just “along for the ride.”
You think a car is bad – driving a boat is even worse. Being aware, and holding the wheel – as well as being in control – all impact your perception.
It’s not just anticipating the turn but also that you are in control of the turn. The driver is able to control the start of the turn, the speed of the turn and the duration of the turn which will make your body subconsciously do a whole bunch of reactions to prepare for the turn.
any passengers are just reacting to everything so their reaction time will be slower than the driver’s.
Now when your car spins because you’ve lost control for whatever reason both the driver and the passengers will have pretty similar reactions.
In addition, the driver seat typically is designed to limit driver motion more than any other seat in the car. This isn’t just for comfort but because the driver has to control the car and therefore should stay in the best position to do so.
One easy, but not quantifiable test, to show the importance of bracing your body against the car, is to sit in the middle of the back seat. Without a door for support you will be pushed side to side with most every turn, even if they are not that fast.
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