Driving Positions
A proper driving position is essential to preventing accidents and minimizing accident related injuries. Below are three tips to improve common positioning errors.
1 – Hand Position
Persons who learned to drive in the pre-airbag era were taught to position their hands at “10 and 2”. Today, this is an unsafe driving position. In the event of an impact, airbag deployment can fracture improperly positioned forearms and thumbs. The airbag’s impact can also launch a driver’s forearms into their head, thereby increasing the odds of a brain injury. If your vehicle is equipped with airbags, position your hands at “9 and 3”.
2 – Headrest Setup
A properly positioned headrest is essential to preventing whiplash-type injuries. In the event of a collision, your body and head should move in unison. This will not happen where the headrest is positioned too far behind the back of your head.
Position your vehicle’s headrest as close to the back of your head as possible. The headrest should be no more than 4cm from the back of your skull. Vertically, the top of your headrest should align with the top of your skull.
3 – Mirror Positioning
There is a common misconception that the flank a driver’s own vehicle should appear on the inside edge of a side-view mirror. While familiar for many drivers, this mirror position increases the size of blind spots. The inside edges of properly positioned side-view mirrors will just overlap with the outside edges of the rear-view mirror’s field of view. This mirror position will dramatically reduce the size of your blind spot.
About the Authors
Jordan takes deep satisfaction in advocating for those who have been affected by serious personal injuries. His practice focuses on motor vehicle collisions, occupiers’ liability, product liability, municipal liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death, accident benefits, and long-term disability claims.