What's up w/ the reclined driving position...?

[Mike-san]

Here in Cali, I constantly see young guys driving w/ their driver seats in the reclined / sleep postion. Needless to say, it looks extremely awkward from a driving point of view. I realize that this has something to do w/ projecting a gangster lifestyle, but is there any real reason why it started. (9 times out of 10, when they show a police chase on T.V., the dudes being chased are driving in this position ..What's going on ? )

 

[NsXMas]

they're keepin' it real.

I was thinking about getting a laz-boy put in my NSX so I could have the ultimate recline position, to out-recline anyone else.

 

[Ko-nsx]

Here in Cali, I constantly see young guys driving w/ their driver seats in the reclined / sleep postion. Needless to say, it looks extremely awkward from a driving point of view. I realize that this has something to do w/ projecting a gangster lifestyle, but is there any real reason why it started. (9 times out of 10, when they show a police chase on T.V., the dudes being chased are driving in this position ..What's going on ? )

prime can give you answers to lots of questions, but an answer for this one will be interesting.

 

[Da Hapa]

Here in Cali, I constantly see young guys driving w/ their driver seats in the reclined / sleep postion. Needless to say, it looks extremely awkward from a driving point of view. I realize that this has something to do w/ projecting a gangster lifestyle, but is there any real reason why it started. (9 times out of 10, when they show a police chase on T.V., the dudes being chased are driving in this position ..What's going on ? )

I've often wondered this myself.

Let's see... putting the seat back to drive like a "gangsta" usually leads to:
1) Bad posture
2) Bad sightlines
3) Bad car control
4) Increased risk of submarining in your seat belt and getting way FUBAR in an accident and
5) Looking like at tool

Yet... lots of people, in lots of different kinds of cars do it every day.

 

[queenlives]

Here in Cali, I constantly see young guys driving w/ their driver seats in the reclined / sleep postion. Needless to say, it looks extremely awkward from a driving point of view. I realize that this has something to do w/ projecting a gangster lifestyle, but is there any real reason why it started. (9 times out of 10, when they show a police chase on T.V., the dudes being chased are driving in this position ..What's going on ? )

i hear ya... i equate it with people who insist on calling california "cali" or san francisco "frisco"... i guess it's ok to do it, but... why?

 

[queenlives]

I've often wondered this myself.

Let's see... putting the seat back to drive like a "gangsta" usually leads to:
1) Bad posture
2) Bad sightlines
3) Bad car control
4) Increased risk of submarining in your seat belt and getting way FUBAR in an accident and
5) Looking like at tool

Yet... lots of people, in lots of different kinds of cars do it every day.

common sense (and basic courtesy / manners) while driving went, pardon the pun, waaaay out the window a lonnnng time ago. <sigh>

 

[03 raw nsx]

don't forget the drivers that like to have right arm over the back of the right seat and sit it about a foot away from the center line of the steering wheel.

sorry, but is seems a bit awkard to have you head halfway off the headrest toward the center of the car

 

[Motegi]

Maybe they have a medical condition/congenital deformity which requires them to maintain that posture... unusually long arms, extraocular muscle weakness that causes a fixed downward gaze, etc. :biggrin: :biggrin: :tongue:

I am always amused by the young driver who appears to be driving not only in a slouched position but also with his (almost 100% male teens) head and body tilted completely to the drivers door. From the back it looks like they are leaning their head against the drivers window. Inevitably the have one arm draped over the top of the wheel with only the wrist touching the wheel. I know it's unsafe but is it even comfortable!?!?!

 

[NSXCELERATE]

its that California bud, they are so high they are reclining as if they are at home on the couch. I do not condone this at all!

 

[Russ]

I believe the idea is to shield the head behind the B pillar to thwart 1) identification and 2) small arms fire.

 

[Pacemaker Kid89]

Maybe they have a medical condition/congenital deformity which requires them to maintain that posture... unusually long arms, extraocular muscle weakness that causes a fixed downward gaze, etc. :biggrin: :biggrin: :tongue:

I am always amused by the young driver who appears to be driving not only in a slouched position but also with his (almost 100% male teens) head and body tilted completely to the drivers door. From the back it looks like they are leaning their head against the drivers window. Inevitably the have one arm draped over the top of the wheel with only the wrist touching the wheel. I know it's unsafe but is it even comfortable!?!?!

I can't drive like that for my life, my arms are too short for that driving style. I got this old granny look when I drive (not that close to the steering wheel, but close enough with my back pretty much perpendicular to the seat bottom). I know it doesnt look "gangsta" or "fly", but at least I see where I'm going.

 

[avalon96]

I would agree that it is weird if you are reclining for no reason (or to project an image) but I find myself pretty reclined in the NSX for one reason: I don't fit otherwise. With the targa version of the NSX, you have to watch out for that segment of roof (the posterior portion that runs parallel and adjacent to the removable roof section) that, although is not inhibiting your headroom directly, sits lower than the rest of the roof (the removable portion). So although it seems like you have plenty of headroom (i.e. the removable roof portion provides decent headroom) you will have none in the case of an accident (i.e. if you are rear-ended, your head will hit that [hard] portion and you will likely suffer substantial head injury if not death).

Be careful.

If it helps, I try to look as uncool as possible while in this semi-reclined state.

 

[steveny]

I drive or ride in a vehicle with the seat reclined way back, although I don't lean in towards the center for the gangster look. If I drive or ride for more than 15 minutes with the seat in the upright position I sometimes get a cramp, like a runners cramp. Even though I am just over six foot tall I have extra long arms and legs. I find that only in my Phaeton or the S500 I just got rid of do my legs not touch the dash. Also I have had a few high speed impacts and staying away from the airbag is paramount for me after having a few go off in my face.

 

[steveny]

i hear ya... i equate it with people who insist on calling california "cali" or san francisco "frisco"... i guess it's ok to do it, but... why?

California=Cali. with 6 less letters to type. Time saved over the period of a lifetime not typing those six extra letters, well just enough time for me to make this post. :biggrin:

 

[KooLaid]

depending on the vehicle, recline mode is actually pretty comfortable. In my truck when I REALLY want to just relax and NOT think about how much my job sucks, I'll recline a bit, smoke a cigerette and TRY to loosen up. Better for the back than the slouch.

 

[Ineed a_NSX]

In my truck when I REALLY want to just relax and NOT think about how much my job sucks,

LOL.....

Thank You I Just Had A NIce laugh.

I too drive my truck like that to sometimes, but not the X.

 

[fannsx]

I can't drive like that for my life, my arms are too short for that driving style. I got this old granny look when I drive (not that close to the steering wheel, but close enough with my back pretty much perpendicular to the seat bottom). I know it doesnt look "gangsta" or "fly", but at least I see where I'm going.

Kinda like driving a NASCAR with the huge steeling wheel and elbows resting on it?

 

[Midnight_Raven]

Well I'm in that young generation that your talking about and I don't get it either. My cousin has his seat like that and I have asked him but he doesn't answer. Plus its annoying to passengers cause I have to recline my seat all the way back just so he could look out the side window or else my head would block his view. I think its cause they consider it cool to drive like that. The cool driver look is the whole one arm on the top of the steering wheel, fully extended, while you lean back. I personally think its retarded, no back support.

 

[Hothonda]

They haven't figured out how the right/left & front/ rear radio speakers are
adjusted is my guess......

 

[steveny]

Well I'm in that young generation that your talking about and I don't get it either. My cousin has his seat like that and I have asked him but he doesn't answer. Plus its annoying to passengers cause I have to recline my seat all the way back just so he could look out the side window or else my head would block his view. I think its cause they consider it cool to drive like that. The cool driver look is the whole one arm on the top of the steering wheel, fully extended, while you lean back. I personally think its retarded, no back support.

Next time you jump in the car with him leave your seat forward and then ask him if he is going to sit up front with you.
There was a kid in my high school who was close to 8 foot tall. He has a Volvo which he took the front seat out and sits on the back seat. He also extended the wheel back a bit. He is freaking huge. His whole family is very tall. Scandinavian I think.

 

[PAUL M]

I think the "Brooklyn lean" has been around alot longer.
Thats when the driver is leaning to his right so much he looks like he should be the passenger.

 

[Pacemaker Kid89]

I understand the lean back, towards the rear seats. However, why the hell would someone want to lean into the middle of the car? If they want a better view of the road, it isnt working.

 

[Osiris_x11]

chillin' & maxin'...

don't forget the drivers that like to have right arm over the back of the right seat and sit it about a foot away from the center line of the steering wheel.

sorry, but is seems a bit awkard to have you head halfway off the headrest toward the center of the car

I drive like that... :biggrin: Hey... to each, their own!

(I don't do the major lean-back/recline, though. Only slight-recline, haha! Mostly elbow on the center-storage, a.k.a. Arm-rest! I think it has alot to do w/ the fact I'm left-handed: my dominant hand & preferred arm for steering...)

I understand the lean back, towards the rear seats. However, why the hell would someone want to lean into the middle of the car? If they want a better view of the road, it isnt working.

*cough* Mclaren_F1 *cough*

 

[Jin1976]

Our place also have kids driving like that. Plus quite a number of people like driving with one hand hanging outside the window. Worst of all many don't like to wear their safety belts and never use signal lights. I hope one of these days they will learn a lesson.

 

[Pacemaker Kid89]

Re: chillin' & maxin'...

*cough* Mclaren_F1 *cough*

I knew that, but when your in the F1, your whole body is in the middle. You dont have your legs to the left and your torso shifted over. (I also saw a PT cruiser done like that too in a rap video)