What is safer? Rear wheel drive, or front wheel drive?

Question

I understand different conditions will effect the answer, but in general, which is safer, and why?

Answer 1

RWD.

Answer 2

Well it depends on how well maintained the vehicle is. There are advantages to both--and drawbacks too. The car is only as good as the driver. I still like rear wheel drive but actually I own one of each---I don't see much difference.

Answer 3

rear wheel handle much better thats why sports cars have it, and its pretty good in snow as long as you dont go fast or get stuck (own 2 rear wheel drives and saw it on myth busters)

front wheel handles ok but its good in snow

awd handles the best is great in snow

Answer 4

It is not the difference between fwd or rwd. It is how the operator drives.

I prefer RwD. But that's just me. (easier to maintain)

Answer 5

For a first time driver front wheel drive is better. RWD in snowy or rainy conditions if your going to fast the back end will wanna kick out. Not so much on a FWD car.

Answer 6

A FWD car is safer and easier to handle as it approaches curves and turns.

Answer 7

f yo start t slide on FWD you are uually screwed. With RWD you can save 99% of you slides...if you can drive.

Answer 8

fwd is usually safer for most. if your a crazy driver rwd is easier to control when you 'lose' it.

awd owns all.

Answer 9

I'd say front.

Answer 10

Front wheel drive is overall safer.  Since so few cars are made with rear wheel drive, it is a mute point.  All of the "mini" vans are front wheel drive.  Only group of vehicles still using rear wheel drive are pickup trucks.

Answer 11

Obviously depends on your driving abilities and conditions but generaly answering the question.  Front wheel drive.  You will have a faster stoping time and more control over the vechile since the wheels have more weight over them

Answer 12

Front or wheel drive makes no difference.     It is the maturity and habits of the drive in the vehicle that matter.  

Your question is like asking "what is safer,  the pistol or bullets?"    They are both perfectly harmless until mishandled in the hands of an idiot.

Answer 13

If you have the proper tires, have learned to drive, not just make a car move, and know the differences in handling, one is just as good as the other.  For those that think FWD is so much better in winter conditions, how do you explain such a high percentage of police vehicles, in every city from coast to coast, in every state, and every Canadian province, encompassing virtually every wet/dry, hot/cold, dry/wet, snow/ice condition imaginable, are RWD?  I drive a FWD car now, and love it.  My previous car was a RWD Plymouth, I loved it, never got stuck, and I live in Manitoba, the heart of winter country.   The best winter driving car, when I found the right tires, was a Pinto station wagon, RWD!  Ever driven an old Volks van, rear engine, RWD?  Nothing beat that across a snowy, icy intersection, because of the amazing traction on the drive wheels.  FWD, RWD, in 42 years of driving, always in winter country, I have never had a problem with either.  Why?  I know FWD pulls you around corners, and RWD pushes you, and knowing that makes it easier to correct skid conditions in either type of vehicle.

Many European cars, like Mercedes and Volvo, one of the safest cars on the road, have RWD models.  Pontiac is going to have a full line of RWD cars.  Why?  People are finally realizing that larger cars actually handle better as RWD.  In a performance test with police drivers from Britain and the USA, the FWD and RWD police vehicles were remarkable close in performance.

Answer 14

Front wheel drive is safer. I grew up in the 70's learning to drive and the vehicles then were all rear wheel drive. Unless you live some   perfect place that never has snow, rain, mud, ice, gravel, idiot drivers, pig rendering greasy stuff that falls off a truck and lands on the road (happened to me once and I was SOOO glad I had 4 wheel drive - which is better than FWD alone or RWD alone - I called 911 and had the fire department come get that mess cleaned up!!), or any other kind of unsafe road conditions,  you will always do better with the front wheel drive.

Answer 15

Front wheel drive is definitely safer. In a spin out situation in snow or on ice, you won't have the rear end of the car whipping around in front of you, you will just loose traction but the car will stay straight. This virtually eliminates fishtailing from loosing traction on the throttle. It is safer on dry pavement too. It reduces traction on snow and ice but as long as you have winter tires or good all season tires, you should be fine. Hope this helps....