Drivers have been left surprised after discovering the real reason behind a familiar feature found in every petrol and diesel car on the road.
Motorists will have noticed a series of 'grab handles' positioned above the passenger doors in their vehicle, which actually serve a vital function. Many road users presume the handles are simply something to grip while the car is in motion. While the handles could indeed be used for this reason, their genuine purpose is to assist drivers and passengers with disabilities in getting into the vehicle.
YouTube channel Bright Side revealed the true function of the handle in a clip that has since been watched by millions.
They explained: "Above each car door you'll usually find a handle. I call it the 'oh no' handle. It's there to give you something to hold onto when your grandma decides to go full NASCAR.
"These handles are actually especially useful, all jokes aside. A lot of people need a little extra help getting in and out of the car. As for why the driver's door usually doesn't have one, there are a couple of reasons.
"For one the steering wheel can function as a makeshift grab handle. Drivers might also be inclined to grab the handle while driving, not safe."
Motorists were quick to flood the comments section, with many confessing they had been using the handle incorrectly for years.
Several revealed they had been using it to hang clothes instead, with the handle proving particularly handy for suits. One said: "Your 'Oh no' handle for is just called fear handle. And the way I usually use it is by hanging suits, that are supposed to look somehow, when I arrive."
Another added: "They come in handy for hanging your laundry from the cleaners."
A third commented: "When I was younger, I used to swing on the two car handles!"
Motoring specialists at Driven Car Guide noted the handles could prove useful for far more than just passengers with mobility issues.
They noted: "In larger vehicles, these handles provide essential leverage for hoisting oneself up and lowering oneself safely, preventing awkward jumps.
"Conversely, in smaller cars, grab handles offer support to ease the descent onto the pavement. This feature is particularly beneficial for people with disabilities, older adults and pregnant individuals."
This follows as one in 20 people hold a Blue Badge in England, new figures have shown. According to new data there were 3.07million people authorised to hold one of the disabled parking permits across the country as of March 31 last year.
This was an increased of 8% on the previous year with 5.2% of the population in England holding one of the documents. Now local authorities, which issue the permits, have been called on to tackle the fraudulent use of them with a warning they are a "lifeline" for those genuinely in need.
The permits, which have to be renewed every three years, aim to enable people with disabilities or health conditions to park closer to shops and services for everything from social occasions to health appointments.
Press Association examined the latest Department for Transport (DfT) data and found the regions with the highest and lowest percentages of badge holders were the North East which had 6.1% and London at 3.5%.
In 2019, eligibility for a Blue Badge was extended beyond people with visible disabilities, and now includes those those with non-visible conditions such as Parkinson’s, dementia and epilepsy.
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Car grab handles are primarily designed to help people with disabilities enter and exit vehicles safely.
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This accessibility feature benefits millions, including 3.07 million Blue Badge holders in England alone.
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The driver's side typically lacks this handle since the steering wheel serves as an alternative grip point.