You already know that it can be a pain simply to exist as a left-handed person in a right-handed world. Writing with a pencil is messy and awkward, and forget using many of the tools and appliances that right-handed people take for granted. You and other Texas lefties might not think that your dominant hand makes a difference when you drive. However, there have been some recent studies that may suggest otherwise.
According to HowStuffWorks, numerous studies over the decades claim that left-handed people are more likely to be accident-prone than righties, although some results may contradict themselves. You might agree, though. With everything manufactured with the right-handed person in mind – except for the rare novelty made specifically for lefties – it can be easy to have a mishap when using a right-handed tool or trying to follow rules and customs meant for the majority of the population. On the other hand, you might pride yourself in the ability to be at least a little ambidextrous, as all your life you have learned to compensate and adjust with what comes naturally to you.
Lefties’ defensive driving might be more dangerous
Additional studies have suggested that lefties tend to speed more and are in more serious collisions than their right-handed counterparts. However, even if you drive safely and courteously, your natural defensive instincts might work against you. While right-handed people might swerve to the right, off the road or into the slow lane, left-handed drivers who are confronted with a sudden hazard may be more likely to reflexively swerve left and into oncoming traffic. However, these scenarios are mainly untested theories, since researchers have not presented left-handed and right-handed drivers with actual traffic hazards to judge their reactions.
Caution is always recommended
No matter which hand you write with, you may avoid a car accident by always being aware of your surroundings in traffic and by driving cautiously and courteously.