New Voice-Activated Wearable Tech is Talk of the Town

Volvo and Microsoft team up to let you talk to your car

By Bill McLauchlan

If you’re old enough to remember the popular Knight Rider TV show from three decades ago in which David ‘The Hoff’ Hasselhoff told his car, KITT, what to do, then the latest wearable device from Volvo and Microsoft should be right up your alley.

Even if you're from the era when comic strip cop Dick Tracy used a wrist radio you'll still make the connection.

That's because Volvo owners will soon be able to talk to their car via their Microsoft Band 2 wrist communicator and give it operating commands, just like ‘The Hoff’. Via this latest electronic technology they’ll be able to instruct the car to perform tasks such as setting the navigation system, locking the doors, flashing the lights, sounding the horn or starting the heater/air con system. It’s all done with Volvo’s mobile app, Volvo on Call, and the connected wearable unit from Microsoft.

Sounds like just the thing for car owners who can’t recall where they’ve parked in a crowded lot full of look-alike cars or whose physical limitations make it awkward to access the car to pre-heat or –cool the interior for maximum comfort.

“Volvo is intent on making the car experience as easy and convenient as possible by utilizing the latest technology in the most relevant and inspiring ways. With voice control, we are only just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible with digital assistant functionalities,” said Thomas Müller, Vice President, Electrics/Electronics and E-Propulsion at the Swedish automaker.

While the advanced heating/cooling voice command possible via the Band 2 communicator will probably prove most appealing to winter weary Canadian Volvo owners, the Microsoft-based system’s navigation set command is a useful application too, especially for older drivers nervous about driving in unfamiliar areas or congested traffic conditions.


Right now the nav assist allows only a single address input at a time but Klas Bendrik, Volvo’s Chief Information Officer, told reporters at this year’s CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, that the carmaker is working on an upgrade that will allow an owner to program a full day’s travel or meeting schedule with one command. No word yet on when that will happen or if and when the technology will integrate with Apple- or Google-based wearables.

Even so, in its present form, it appears to be catching on quickly. According to Bendrik, as of a couple of days ago, 166,00 Volvo owners remotely heated or cooled their cars before start-up. Pretty remarkable when you consider only some 400,000 Volvos globally are currently equipped with its On Call option. Yet this smart-phone accessed system, utilizing small gasoline-fed heaters in top-level Volvos, was accessed by close to half of those 400,000 cars in a single day.

No wonder Volvo is excited about its On Call/Band 2 mating. “When innovating, we are not interested in technology for the sake of technology. If a technology does not make a customer’s life easier, better, safer or more fun, we don’t use it. Let’s face it – who hasn’t dreamed of talking to their car via a wrist-worn wearable?” Bendrik proclaimed.

The new possibility to connect a Volvo with voice control with Band 2 will be available for customers in Volvo On Call markets this coming Spring. As well as Canada and the U.S., On Call is available in some 16 European countries as well as Brazil, China and Russia.

The Top Technologies Mature Drivers Want

Blind-spot warnings and back-up cameras top the list.
Some think certain tech makes drivers too reliant.

By Bill McLauchlan

There seems no end to the onslaught of electronic wizardly introduced by auto manufacturers these days.

Most of it falls into the “infotainment” category to make your car more “connected” to the outside world but many of the technology additions help to make driving safer and/or enhance your driving experience.

So it was interesting to learn from a recently released study just what new technology features we, as mature drivers, will accept in our current or next vehicle purchases.

Blind-spot warning systems and back-up cameras are the technologies mature drivers are most willing to adopt, according to new research by The Hartford – a leader in property and casualty insurance – and the MIT Age Lab – a multi-disciplinary research program that works with business, government and NGOs to improve the quality of life of older people and those who care for them.

Their combined research project, Vehicle Technology Adoption Among Mature Drivers, involved 302 drivers ages 50-69 to assess their likelihood to adopt current vehicle technologies. In the study, participants viewed a video about seven vehicle technologies (blind-spot systems, reverse back-up cameras, smart headlights, collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings, parking assistance and adaptive cruise control), as well as a video about a self-driving car, and responded to the video via a perception analyzer tool. This was followed by further analysis, small group discussions and pre/post-test questionnaires.

Graphic: Ford Motor Co.

It won’t surprise you to learn the study revealed that technologies that improved driving safety found consistent favour, but some think some advancements could make drivers too reliant on them.

Of the seven technologies described above, here’s what our more mature driver population would most like to have on their cars:

1: Blind-spot warning systems.
2: Reverse back-up cameras.
3: Smart headlights.
4: Collision avoidance systems.
5: Lane departure warnings.

“In this study, we wanted to understand mature drivers’ willingness to adopt vehicle technologies,” said Jodi Olshevski, gerontologist and executive director of the Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence. “These are becoming more available in new cars today, so it’s important that all drivers learn how they work and how to use them effectively. This is especially true for mature drivers, as many technologies can enhance the driving experience as we age.”

Purchase and Use
Ninety-six percent of study participants reported they would be willing to buy a car with at least one of the seven features covered in the study; nearly 10 percent indicated they’d be willing to buy all seven.

Graphic: Business Wire

A majority of respondents also said they’d be quite likely to use the five features listed above if they had them. And most thought each of the seven total technologies covered in the study were worth having. Collision avoidance and blind-spot warning were most likely seen as worth having at any price than the other technologies in the study.

“Drivers who are experienced with technology in general, trust it, and see themselves as able to learn how to use it are more receptive to adopting vehicle technologies,” noted Joseph F. Coughlin, Director of the MIT AgeLab. “These tech-savvy drivers feel more positively about vehicle technologies overall and are more likely to recommend that a family member or friend purchase a car with new technologies.”

The study disclosed that mature drivers believe the primary benefit of many vehicle tech features is to improve safety for the driver. Participants said that back-up camera (78%), blind-spot warning (77%), collision avoidance (68%), lane departure (64%), and smart headlight (63%) systems were most connected to safety. Yet some mature drivers worried that other new aids, including park assistance (42%) and adaptive cruise control (25%), might make drivers too reliant on the technologies themselves.

As for self-driving cars, more expressed interest in “test driving” a driverless car than in buying one. Almost three-quarters (70%) admitted they’d test-drive an autonomous car, compared to only 31% who would buy one – even if it were the same price as a “regular” car. If a self-driving car and a regular car were the same price, more participants would opt for the “regular” (39%) than the self-driving car (31%).

To help mature drivers learn more about vehicle technologies, The Hartford developed a free guidebook and an interactive video quiz. These are available at thehartford.com/cartech.

Top Picks for 2016

Are these cars right for you?
We steer you to the best models in 9 categories

By Bill McLauchlan

It’s all too easy to spin our wheels in an effort to sort out the myriad models in today’s dealer showrooms. Some highly touted cars don’t measure up to expectations . . . and the best choice might not even be on your shopping list. An added factor is we tend to keep our cars longer these days, so choosing the right one is more important than ever.

Our reasons for buying are just as complex. Is your next new car driven by the needs of a growing family? Or perhaps it’s a luxury or sporty model as a reward for years of hard work and career success? Maybe even a nod to your new downsized empty-nest lifestyle? Or it could be your last new-car purchase in recognition of advancing years and the need for comfortable, affordable and reliable transportation. Whatever the reason it’s nice to know which car might be the best for you, depending on your needs.

To help steer you straight, here are nine “Best New” category winners, in the 2016 Canadian Car of the Year Awards, as revealed today by the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada, better known as AJAC. Make no mistake, these are no the idle choices of a handful of opinionated auto writers.

More than 70 auto journalists from across the country recently met to drive all category entries on a four-day series of test drive routes, back-to-back, on the same day, and under the same conditions to ensure fair and objective comparisons. This process generated 1,911 test drives, producing over 110,000 data points and 1701 category ballots to weed out the winners from the wannabes.

It’s interesting to note that of the 27 nominated finalists in the nine categories only eight carried a domestic brand name: General Motors fielded the Chevrolet Volt and Silverado, GMC Canyon diesel pickup, and Cadillac’s ATS-V and CTS-V; Ford was represented by Lincoln’s MKX and the Shelby GT350 version of its popular Mustang; Chrysler-Fiat ‘s only representative came from Jeep with its new Renegade.

Topping the list with three nominated finalists apiece were Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen and Honda. Hyundai, Mazda and Toyota each could claim two nominees in their respective categories, while Kia, MINI, Porsche and Volvo rounded out the roster with one finalist apiece.

The nine voted “Best New” winners cover the new-model spectrum, including: Small Car, Sports/Performance and SUV/CUV. Most of these categories are further split into price ranges to better provide fair and relevant comparisons.
So, without further ado, here are your “Best New” gold medalists for 2016.

Photo: Honda Canada

Best New Small Car: Honda Civic Sedan
The best-selling car in Canada for much of the past two decades, and this all-new tenth-generation version should be just as successful. It’s got fresh, clean lines, more leg and shoulder room and arguably the roomiest rear seat and trunk space in its class. The 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine is more powerful and refined, making it an ideal combination of practical, economical and comfortable family car, sporty handler, quiet highway runner.

The Civic beat out Toyota’s new Yaris sedan and Volkswagen’s Jetta 1.4TSI, the other finalists in the Small Car group.

Photo: Volkswagen Canada

Best New Family Car: Volkswagen Golf Sportwagon 1.8TSI
Given all the recent negative publicity at being caught fudging emissions software in its diesel-powered models, Volkswagen must be pretty pleased that the Golf Sportwagon took the Family Car crown over its Chevy Volt and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid category finalists. Still, the Sportwagon could be a tough sell in a market segment dominated by red hot small SUV sales. In its favour, it costs a lot less than both the Sonata and Volt. Handsome styling, huge cargo space, nimble steering and handling, durable cloth seating, a well-organized dash/console and top-class build quality add to its obvious value appeal.

Photo: Volkswagen

Best New Sports/Performance (under $50k):
Volkswagen Golf R
Somewhat surprisingly the Golf R came out on top in this category. Up against Mazda’s very well-received MX-5 Roadster and the MINI John Cooper Works 3-door finalists, the Golf R may not look much different than its garden-variety siblings but light up the 292 horsepower 2.0-litre turbo engine and let the fun begin. All-wheel drive, disc brakes, sport suspension and a slick 6-speed manual help it stick, stop and go like nobody’s business. And, as if that wasn’t enough, it’s a good-looking, roomy little hatch that can do double-duty as family transport when needed.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada

Best New Sports/Performance (over $50k): Mercedes-AMG C63 S
If your budget allows for a more upscale sporty indulgence the AJAC judges opted for the sensuous and powerful Mercedes-AMG C63 S 4-door coupe ahead of Cadillac’s ATS-V and the Ford Shelby GT350. Where the latter is loud, brash and boldly broad-shouldered the tightly-wrapped C63 S is a delight to the eyes and pure pleasure to drive, thanks to its lithe lines, handling finesse and muscular 503-horsepower V8 engine. It’ll set you back about $20,000 more than the Shelby or the Caddy but the Mercedes-AMG C63’s combination of luxury, safety, performance and electronic driver aids makes it a hard package to beat.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada

Elsewhere, in Best New Prestige/Performance the Mercedes-AMG GT S coupe came out the winner, ahead of the Cadillac CTS-V and Porsche’s delectable new Cayman GT4. The latter would have got my vote if that were possible.

Best New SUV/CUV (under $35k) went to Mazda’s delightful new CX-3. Its handsome looks, contemporary interior and desirable technical features are worth having. Not so much is the inadequate ground clearance, tight rear seat room and

Photo: Mazda Canada

skimpy cargo space, some of the latter drawbacks due no doubt to the CX-3’s reliance on the subcompact Mazda2 platform. Even so, the CX-3 polled enough favourable votes to win come out ahead of the Honda HR-V and Jeep’s Renegade.

In the Best New SUV/CUV ($35k - $60k) category the Kia Sorento was victorious in a class crowded with contenders. It topped fellow finalists, the Honda Pilot and Hyundai Tucson, while the Ford Edge, BMW X1 and Lexus NX200t F Sport (whew, what a mouthful!) didn’t quite make the final cut. As with many other Kia

Photo: Kia Canada

offerings, the Sorento mix of content level, smooth and quiet ride, 7-seat capacity, leather upholstery, and smooth 290 horsepower, 3.3-litre V6 is a tough package to beat and deserves a close look if you’re in the market for a value-packed mid-level SUV.

Photo: Volvo

© General Motors

At the upper end of the scale, Volvo’s attractive new XC90 took top honours in the Best New SUV/CUV (over $60k) segment, succeeding in a tough tussle with two other finalists in Lincoln’s handsome MKX and the somewhat long-winded Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d 4MATIC Coupe. On- or off-road its capable, cathedral quiet and composed in any road conditions you’re likely to encounter. With a 2.0-litre in-line 4-cylinder engine mated with an 8-speed automatic it’ll get you where you need to be with efficiency, style and a sumptuous interior highlighted by acres of Scandinavian wood grain interior trim.

Last, but not least, GM’s sole overall winner came in the Best New Pickup category where the hulking Chevrolet
 Silverado shouldered aside its GMC Canyon diesel-powered corporate cousin and the capable Toyota Tacoma 4x4 Double Cab.

Each of the category winners will now compete for the overall Canadian Car of the Year and Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year trophies, which will be announced at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto next February.

Rear Camera Mirror Turns Heads

High-res video streaming removes obstructions
like passengers, head rests, roof and rear pillars

By Bill McLauchlan

Sometimes drivers of a certain age may be excused for wishing they had eyes in the back of their head. Advancing age and its associated aches and pains, reduced flexibility and stiffening joints can make it a pain to perform routine tasks such as shoulder checks or torso twists to ensure all’s clear before reversing down the driveway or out of a mall parking spot.

Well, help is here and it looks good. The only drawback is that, at present, only one car maker offers it . . . and availability might be beyond some car buying budgets.

Cadillac’s Rear Camera Mirror has just been named a 2015 Popular Science “Best of What’s New” award winner. The annual awards cover the magazine’s choices of the year’s top 100 technology innovations and appear in the December issue.

© General Motors

“The awards honour innovations that surprise and amaze us – those that challenge our view of what’s possible in the future,” said Cliff Ransom, editor-in-chief of Popular Science. “The award is Popular Science’s top prize, and the 100 winners – chosen from among thousands of nominees – are each a revolution in their respective fields.”

The Rear Camera Mirror will be available on Cadillac’s upcoming 2016 CT6 sedan (below) and 2017 XT5 crossover models.

© General Motors

The streaming video mirror improves field of vision by an estimated 300 percent, or roughly four times greater than a standard rearview mirror. The high-resolution streaming video function will remove obstructions of passengers, headrests and the vehicle’s roof and rear pillars.

There’s more good news for aging eyes and drivers who dislike driving at night. Thanks to a high dynamic range, the camera’s video feed reduces glare and allows a crisper image in low-light situations versus a traditional glass electrochromatic, or auto-dimming, rearview mirror.

The in-mirror display is an industry-leading 1280 by 240-pixel TFT-LCD display with 171 pixels per inch, combined with a high-definition camera designed specifically to enhance rear view lane width and maximize low-light situations.
A water-shedding hydrophobic coating is applied to the camera to keep it clean and able to maintain visibility regardless of driving conditions.

Six Car Warning Signs Your Nose Can Sniff Out

When your aging olfactory sensor smells a peculiar odour, don’t ignore it

By Bill McLauchlan

There’s something very appealing about that “new car smell”, even for those of us with more than a few miles on our nasal clock. Sadly, as our cars age along with us, that heady aroma gradually fades away.

But there are other specific odours that drivers should never ignore, though it can be more difficult for an older driver to pinpoint. Identifying these suspect smells early on can help avoid the hassle and expense of an unexpected breakdown.

Before we get to them, though, ask yourself how good is your built-in detection system? A keen sense of smell plays an important part in our life, often serving as a first warning signal to the smoke of a fire, spoiled food or the odour of a natural gas leak or other dangerous fumes. According to the US Dept of Health and Human Services, about two percent of North Americans have a problem with their sense of smell, and it’s more common in men than in women. In one study, nearly 25 percent of men aged 60 to 69 had a smell disorder while only 11 percent of women in that range reported similar trouble.

Surprisingly, our smelling ability plateaus at around age eight, and usually begins to decline after we turn 60. This can be accelerated by physical problems such as polyps in the nasal or sinus cavities or the cumulative effect of years of smoking. Though feeble compared to many animals – we have five to 6 million olfactory receptors compared with a rabbit’s 100 million and 200 million in a dog – we still can recognize thousands of different smells, some of which can be critical in the safe operation of our cars.

Unusual smells can be the sign of serious, and potentially costly, trouble for your car or truck. By acting quickly and making necessary repairs, you’ll be able to breathe easy knowing there is no harmful damage to your car, advises the Car Care Council. It recommends a sniff test to identify any odd odours, including the following six warning signs:

Newspress

1: The smell of burnt rubber could be slipping drive belts or misplaced loose hoses in the engine compartment that may be rubbing against rotating accessory drive pulleys. Use caution checking, though, when poking around near a hot engine.

2: The smell of hot oil could mean that oil is leaking onto the exhaust system. To verify the leak, look for oil on the pavement or smoke coming from the engine area.

3: The smell of gasoline is likely the sign of a gas leak in some area of the vehicle such as a fuel injector, fuel line or the fuel tank. Any smell of fuel indicates a possible fire hazard, so immediate attention is necessary.

4: The sweet smell of syrup may be a sign of leaking coolant somewhere in the engine’s cooling system. Here again, caution is advised: don’t undo the radiator cap when it is hot.

5: A smell like burning carpet could be a sign of brake trouble and a safety hazard. Have your brakes checked right away, especially if the smell occurs during normal driving conditions.

Newspress

6: An odour of rotten eggs is never a good one and, coming from your car, could mean a problem with the catalytic converter. This smell can also be attributed to a poor running engine, causing the catalytic converter to become overloaded and fail due to meltdown.

When you smell any of these nasty aromas you shouldn’t ignore them. Have them checked out and rectified, if necessary, for your own peace of mind. Remember, your nose knows best . . . even if it is getting a bit long in the tooth.

Old Flames Reunited

Amazing birthday surprise makes former owner’s day

By Bill McLauchlan

“I was a fool to ever leave your side
Me minus you is such a lonely ride”

Those words from Reunited by Peaches & Herb back in 1979 could well ring true these days for former Royal Navy Commander Bob Reed as he recently rekindled a young love in somewhat surprising fashion.

You see, the sixtieth E-Type to leave Jaguar’s production line in 1961 went back to surprise its previous owner on his 83rd birthday after undergoing a full ‘nut and bolt’ restoration.

When Reed put his pride and joy, a rare Jaguar E-Type into auction little did he expect that it would sell for £109,000 (223,450 Cdn) or that it would be purchased by someone who would spend substantially more than the purchase price to bring it back to its former glory.

Bob bought the car in February 1965 and owned it for more than 45 years, raced it and only decided to sell it because he couldn’t afford to restore it and didn’t want to see it deteriorate further.

He hadn’t seen the car since it was picked up by Bonhams and taken to their auction at RAF Hendon on April 23, 2013. At the auction, the car caused a huge stir among collectors and sold for more than three times its highest pre-sale estimate.

Photo: Newspress/John Colley
Commander Reed's classic 1961 Jaguar E-Type before its 'nut and bolt' restoration.

Bidders from all over the world fought over the tatty 1961 Roadster, one of the most desirable of all E-Types. The car was a very early 'flat floor' 3.8 litre model dating from the first few weeks of production, also one of the earliest surviving right-hand drive E-Type roadsters and had never been restored. It had covered only 65,000 miles (about 105,000 km) from new.

The E-Type eclipsed its £25,000 to £30,000 ($51,250 to $61,500 Cdn) estimate with eight telephone bidders on the line but it ended up going to the man in the room who opened bidding at £40,000 ($82,000 Cdn).

James Knight, Bonhams International Group Motoring Director said: “Although in a pretty tired looking state, this E-Type was so inherently original we attracted an unprecedented level of interest when offered at the auction. It has evidently been bought by the right buyer, who commissioned Classic Motor Cars, one of the world’s leading Jaguar specialists, to bring it back to life, sympathetically restoring the car to its former glory, expertly retaining as much originality as possible during the process.”

Photo: Newspress/John Colley
Chassis No. 60 after its 3,500-hour refurbishment.

New owner Chris Anderson said: “I sent the car to CMC and asked them to bring it back to the condition that it would have left the factory in 1961.”

Because of his affection for the car Bob contacted its new owner and kept in touch with the restoration process.

When Bob’s daughter Katie contacted the restorers and asked if she could have a picture of the car for his 83rd birthday Managing Director Nick Goldthorp said “of course but I think we can do better than that.”

Conversations with Chris Anderson took place and it was jointly agreed that the car, which recently won Best of Show at the 2015 RAC Midsummer Drive-In, should go back to celebrate Bob’s birthday in mid-September.

“The car took 3,500 hours to restore,” Goldthorp said, “and since then has received many accolades. It was a real pleasure to bring the car back to someone who enjoyed it for so many years. The look on Commander Reed's face when the car turned up was fantastic and I am sure that it was a day that he will never forget.”

Photo: Newspress/Paul Gillis
A delighted Bob Reed reunites with his former love. 

Commander Reed said: “This was an amazing birthday surprise I was absolutely flabbergasted. I wanted to see the car once it had been restored but thought I would have to travel to it at some point. Little did I think it would be brought to me. I can’t thank CMC and Chris Anderson enough. It made my day.”

He added: “The car is fantastic and the level of detail and time that CMC have put into it is just fantastic. I am sure that it is better now than when it first left the Jaguar factory in Browns Lane, Coventry.”

Back Behind the Wheel

Get up and be active –
or risk the consequences
of sitting still in our cars for too long

By Bill McLauchlan

It’s ironic that we all still look forward to collapsing onto the couch or into a comfy armchair at the end of the working day and taking the weight off our feet, yet most of us will have spent nearly all of the day sitting down at work.

According to the Stats Canada, Canadian adults aged 18 to 79 spend an average of nearly 10 working hours per day sitting down (not including sleep). Sedentary time was significantly higher in females compared to males, particularly in the 40 to 59 year age group.

And it’s not doing any of us any good. World Health Organization figures show that physical inactivity has been identified as the fourth leading risk factor for global mortality, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths globally.

The main concerns are: Obesity and Slower Metabolism, leading to cardiovascular issues and diabetes in particular; Cancer and Heart Disease, an increased risk of 60%; and Rheumatic Disorders due to wear and tear to joints caused by a lack of activity and sitting badly.

But the biggest issue we face from our sedentary life is back pain, and apart from the desk job and leisure time in front of the TV, it’s the car that’s at the heart of the problem. In a recent study of business car drivers, at least half had suffered from lower back trouble in the last 12 months, and leisure drivers are similarly afflicted. It is essential as drivers that we note this and take care of our backs, in order to make ourselves safer, better focused and more comfortable behind the wheel.

The daily commute to work is an everyday reality for a large number of us. In a 2011 survey, Statistics Canada determined that about 15.4 million Canadians commute to work daily, and of those people 74 percent drove a car to work. The average commute can vary greatly, though, depending on where you live. A shorter commute by distance with a higher volume of traffic may actually see you spending more time in the car than someone with more distance to commute but lower traffic volume.

PRNewsFoto/IBM

But whether that time is spent sitting in gridlock traffic or not depends greatly on where the driver is located. Take Toronto, Canada’s largest city, for example. Many drivers commute from surrounding communities, such as Mississauga – a 54 km (33.5 mile) round trip – to as far away as Barrie – a 188 km (116.8 mile) round trip, adding up to a lot of hours spent on the road in an average year. How much? Well, the Mississauga commuter racks up 13,500 km (8,389 miles) annually, or enough to have traversed the Great Wall of China twice. Making the daily drive to and from Barrie puts 47,000 km (21,749 miles) onto the odometer every year – that’s 1.1 times around the Equator every 12 months, according to Insurance Hotline.com.

Sitting Time Bomb
Ask an anthropologist and he will say that man is essentially a hunter-gatherer; designed to be up and about all day, trotting around looking for things to eat. Instead, modern man sits at a desk during the day, slouches in front of the TV at night, and in between may drive for several hours a day. When we use our backs in such an inappropriate way, is it any wonder that they fail?

Health experts now say ‘Sitting is the new smoking. The more sedentary you are, the worse it is for your health.’

Desperate Driving

GEM Motoring Assist

Sitting puts 50% more pressure on our lumbar discs compared to standing, and then combine it with the bumps and shocks from the road surface, the use of the pedals to brake, accelerate or operate the clutch, not to mention the twisting when looking around for other traffic, and it’s surprising we can still walk when we get to our destination. Of course the increasing stress of modern driving and living is a growing problem, but then there is the seat we’re sitting on – the car seat is far from ideal.

There have been great strides in the design and manufacture of modern car seats to adjust in accordance with the great variety of body sizes and shapes using them, but they are compromised by cost, space and the other safety and driving paraphernalia surrounding them. As Dr Graham Cox, an author on the subject writes: “Most seats are designed so that our knees are above the level of our hips, which is good for safety but poor ergonomically. When driving we need to extend our legs asymmetrically to move the pedals, turn the steering wheel, change gears and constantly be on the lookout for danger.

“Though we often start out well and with due consideration for back health when driving, it is not long before we are slouching or slipping down into the danger zones.”

As soon as your bum moves forward and a gap between the back of the seat and your own lower back appears, or between your shoulders and the top of the seat, then it is a sure sign that your spine is in the wrong physical shape and certain areas of the spine are taking excessive strain. What’s more, the vibrations and bumps also dehydrate the spongy discs that sit between our vertebrae and allow us movement, and act as shock absorbers – the less fluid, the less they have to work with. The point to remember is that you need to sit well back in your seat so that your back is in contact and supported from top to bottom.

Less Pain, More Gain
The essential thing to keep in mind is just to keep your back moving throughout the day. If you are sitting, whether in a car or at a desk, get up and walk around for at least five minutes or so every hour – ‘movement is medicine’ as the saying goes; keep your back moving to keep it flexible. The more we abuse this incredible part of our body’s architecture, the more we will suffer throughout every part of our physical and mental being. Take care of it and it will take care of you.
Being fit and healthy, and free of pain, can only make us all better, safer and happier drivers. Back pain can ruin your day, but as a dangerous distraction behind the wheel, it can all too easily ruin the lives of others, too.