Left-Handedness and Life Expectancy

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Abstract
Halpern and Coren have reported a striking reduction in life expectancy associated with left-handedness (April 4 issue).* They state that their results implicate covert neuropathologic features as the cause of increased deaths, rather than left-handedness per se. At least one important cause of excess deaths among left-handers is reported to be related to driving a vehicle. It is not at all apparent that left-hand or right-hand dominance alone would affect driving safety. The authors should consider the possible contribution of left-footedness. Although automobiles are relatively neutral in terms of hand controls, the arrangement of foot pedals is definitely designed for right-sided coordination. In a traffic emergency, this inherent laterality might well account for enough difference to increase the risk to left-footed drivers.