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7 Driving Position Mistakes You Should Avoid
I notice several drivers with incorrect sitting postures whenever I am snooping around on cars on the road. It’s either a young man sitting in a fancy position with his hand stretched out like he’s sleeping on a camp bed, or you see some other drivers hugging the steering wheel so tightly that it looks like they’re flying into space in a rocket.
If there were no safety risks associated with these awkward driving positions, they would not have been a problem. However, sitting in that position can easily kill or injure a driver, especially if an accident occurs. Such drivers risk injuring their neck, spine, head, or chest, which AutoJosh does not want. That is why I am bringing you this post on how to achieve proper driving posture whenever you get into your car.
First and foremost, make all seating adjustments while the car is stationary. To avoid unexpected movements, it must also be in the park position.
1. The backrest should be upright and not in a sleeping position:
You must always be prepared. So, don’t drive your car around town like you’re sitting in your living room watching Telemundo. The backrest of your car seat should be in an upright position, not slouching. This sitting position can relieve back pain while also protecting you in the event of a collision. We’re not suggesting that you sit at a 90-degree angle like they do on Danfo buses. A recline of 100 – 115 degrees is acceptable, but some wacky drivers go as high as 145 degrees, which is dangerous.
Also, make sure your headrest does not tilt backwards, especially if you have one of those phony aftermarket DVD headrests.
2. Avoid sitting too far away from or too close to the steering wheel:
Make certain that you are not sitting too far or too close to the steering wheel. This means that your hand should not be overly stretched or bent when holding the steering wheel. So, stretch your hands out and make sure the steering wheel is at your wrist level while your back is well rested on the back rest. This will allow you to maintain a firm grip while turning the steering quickly and effectively. If you sit too close to the steering wheel, the airbag may injure you if it deploys.
3. The steering wheel’s center should be tilted away from your face:
As much as possible, make sure the steering wheel’s center is not pointing directly at your face. Because you don’t want the airbag to explode directly in your face, it should be titled down towards your chest or trunk instead. The car logo is usually located in the center of the steering wheel.
4. Don’t sit too low or too high:
Remember to adjust the height of your seat so that you have a good view of the road ahead. However, it should not be too high because that has its own set of drawbacks. Sitting too high can cause your legs to interfere with steering and your head to collide with the roof of the car in the event of a rollover. Excessive sitting can also reduce blood flow to your lower legs.
5. Your leg should not be stretched straight:
We see fashionista drivers who push their car seat all the way back and end up stretching their legs out to use only their toes to press the throttle. When your leg is straight, shock waves can be sent directly to your pelvic area and spine, putting you in danger in the event of an accident. To avoid spinal cord injury, it is preferable to bend your leg at the knee, as shown in the image above.
6. Remove your wallet if it gets in your way:
The pressure from your wallet in your back pocket can obstruct blood flow and cause buttock pain. Guys with large wallets will understand.
7. Don’t wrap your thumb around the steering wheel:
It’s not a good idea to wrap your thumb around the steering wheel of your car because it can get tangled while making sharp turns. Your thumb can even become dislocated, which is why some cars have a “steering thumb rest” on the steering wheel. However, many drivers are unaware of the significance of this feature, which allows you to rest your thumb instead of wrapping it around the steering wheel.
Please add any additional suggestions for an appropriate sitting and driving position in the comments section.