According to AAA, positioning
your hands at 10 and 2 is no longer the best way to grip the steering wheel
. In fact, it can be downright dangerous. Holding the wheel at 10 and 2 is a remnant from an era before power steering became standard on all vehicles, when turning required more force to get your wheel to move.
Is it best to grip the steering wheel at 10 and 2 o clock?
Hand position on steering wheel
You probably learned to keep your hands at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recommends drivers put
their hands at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions
.
Why is the 10 and 2 hand position no longer the best steering position?
“Two and 10 o'clock is
not recommended because it can be dangerous in vehicles with smaller steering columns and equipped with air bags
,” according to a brochure by the American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association.
Should you sit 10 inches from the steering wheel?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that roughly 10 inches or further is
an optimal distance between a driver and their steering wheel
, due to the amount of power that an airbag can produce when it deploys, this will help keep you safe.
What is the best steering wheel position?
NHTSA recommends the driver use the area of the steering wheel area
between “11 and 8 o'clock” with their left and the “1 and 8 o'clock” area with their right
, regardless of which way they're turning. Using the hand-to-hand or push/pull steering method helps prevent injuries.
Is 10 and 2 still a thing?
For decades, the standard instruction was that drivers should hold the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 positions, as envisioned on a clock. This, it turns out, is
no longer the case
. In fact, driving that way could cost you your arms or hands in particularly gruesome ways if your airbag deploys.
Why you should drive slower at night?
Drive slower
One of the main reasons why you should drive slower at night is because
of slower reaction times
. With limited visibility, reacting to hazards, traffic signs, and other vehicles takes longer. By driving slower, you'll have more time to make the appropriate actions when necessary.
When backing up you should always?
Always back up slowly to avoid collisions
. It is always dangerous because it is hard to see what is behind your vehicle. Whenever you need to back up or back out of a parking space, follow these rules: Turn and look over your right shoulder when backing out the vehicle.
What year old drivers are the riskiest?
According to the CDC, the age range of the riskiest drivers is
16 to 19 years old
. This group is three times likelier to get into a fatal crash than drivers aged 20 or older. The CDC also says male teens are twice as likely as female teenagers to be involved in a vehicle-related death.
How should the driver grip the steering wheel?
Your grip should
be firm, yet gentle
. Use your fingers instead of the palms of your hands and keep your thumbs up along the face of the steering wheel. Never turn the wheel while gripping it from the inside of its rim.
How close is too close to the airbag?
For motorists of “extremely small stature” –
4 feet 6 inches or less
– who must sit dangerously close to the air bag in their vehicle's steering wheel, NHTSA may allow them to install a driver air bag on-off switch when “the risk of sitting in front of an active frontal air bag outweigh the safety benefits.”
How close is too close to steering?
Sitting Too Close to the Steering Wheel Can Be Deadly in an Accident. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that
10 or more inches
is the appropriate distance between a driver and their steering wheel.
When you grip the steering wheel you should place your hands on the steering wheel at the 3 and 9 or 4 and 8 o'clock positions to allow room for air bags to deploy?
Keep your hands at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock on the steering wheel. The NHTSA now recommends that all drivers keep their hands
positioned on opposite sides on the steering wheel
. This is a more comfortable and stable steering position, and it also keeps your hands clear of the airbag.
When you grip the steering wheel you should place your hands on the steering wheel at the 3 and 9?
NHTSA now recommends the technique known as “9 and 3”. Place your
left hand on the left portion of the steering wheel in a location approximate to where the nine would be if the wheel was a
clock. Your right hand should be placed on the right portion of the wheel where the three would be located.
Why do steering wheels have bumps at 10 and 2?
The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association told Reuters that the raised dots on a steering wheel are designed to
“allow drivers to identify the pressing zone for the horn
,” and that the dots are common on older vehicles where drivers had to press a certain point in order to honk — it is not needed on more …
Is it better to sit high or low in a car?
First,
the upright position gives you a better view
out of the car. If you're reclining like a movie tough guy, you can't really see out. Second (and even more important), sitting with your backrest as vertical as possible gives you more feel for the car's movement.
When should you be tailgated?
- Move over to the right, if there is an open lane to your right.
- If there is not an open lane to your right, wait until the way is clear ahead and reduce your speed slowly to encourage the tailgater to drive around you.
- Never slow down abruptly.
When driving at night it is most important for you to do what?
Look directly at the headlights of an oncoming vehicle.
Increase your following distance
. Explanation Increase your following distance when it is difficult to see due to darkness. Use headlights to increase visibility, following the rules for proper use of high beams and low beams.
When backing up should you use the TE steering method?
NHTSA recommends using
one-hand steering only when
turning while backing, or operating vehicle controls that require removing a hand from the steering wheel.
When backing straight How should you position your body?
What is the proper hand and body position for straight backing? The
motorist's right hand and arm should be placed over the back of the front passenger
; the left hand should grasp the top of the steering wheel. You just studied 9 terms!
What are 3 night time driving tips?
- Be Extra Defensive. …
- Combat Fatigue. …
- Clean Up Your View. …
- Avoid Two-Lane Highways. …
- Slow Down. …
- Angle Your Headlights Correctly. …
- Use High Beams When Appropriate. …
- Tweak Your Inside Lighting.
How can I improve my night vision while driving?
- Clean Your Windows and Mirrors. …
- Dim Your Dashboard. …
- Use the Night Setting on Your Rearview Mirror. …
- Don't Look at Oncoming Headlights. …
- Decrease Your Speed. …
- Skip the Yellow-Tinted Glasses. …
- Schedule an Annual Eye Exam. …
- About our Expert.
What is the 3/6 second rule?
When driving in traffic, you should stay far enough behind the vehicle ahead to: Avoid a collision if the traffic stops suddenly. The 3-6 second rule ensures
the proper “space cushion”
to keep you and other drivers safe. When driving on slippery roads, you should double your following distance to at least… 4 seconds.
What are the four steps to successful passing?
- Scan for hazards, e.g., oncoming vehicles, vehicles approaching from rear, merging vehicles;
- Check for blind spots;
- Signal your intention and accelerate into passing lane;
- Accelerate quickly to an appropriate speed;
- Concentrate on the path ahead;
- Check the mirror for following cars.
When backing up do you keep both hands on the wheel?
Steer with one hand while looking over your shoulder through the rear window. Explanation Turn your head to look behind you before and while backing up. Steer with one hand when backing up or when operating vehicle controls.
You should keep both hands on the wheel at any other time
.
What age group causes the most accidents?
Drivers ages 16-17
continue to have the highest rates of crash involvement, injuries to themselves and others and deaths of others in crashes in which they are involved. Drivers age 80 and older have the highest rates of driver deaths. Drivers ages 60-69 were the safest drivers by most measures examined.
Should your hands be at 8 and 4?
Keep your hands at
opposite sides of the steering wheel
. Imagine that the steering wheel is a clock. The most effective positions for your hands are at 8 and 4 o'clock.
What are the three levels of braking?
Coasting
– Level of braking in which releasing the accelerator stops the vehicle's forward propulsion. Controlled braking – Level of braking done with sufficient pressure to slow the vehicle. Engine acceleration – Releasing pressure from the brake pedal, allowing the low idle of the engine to move the vehicle forward.
What should you not do when steering?
- Don't let the steering wheel spin freely. Many of us have done this, especially after completing a turn. …
- Don't put your hands inside of the steering wheel. Many right-handers do this with their right hand when making a left turn. …
- Don't steer with one hand…or your knee.
Who most often falls asleep while driving?
Who Most Often Falls Asleep While Driving?
Men
are 5 times more likely than women to be involved in fatigue-related accidents. … Those between the ages of 16-29 are at the greatest risk, with two-thirds of these accidents occurring among drivers under the age of 30.
What age are the best drivers?
Statistically speaking, the best age to start driving is as late as possible,
at 18 or older
. A young person's maturity level, resourcefulness, and experience are key. Before driving alone, it is a good idea for a new driver to get a learner's permit and spend dozens of hours driving with an experienced driver.
Do you generally steer where you look?
You generally steer where you look. In the event of an emergency, if you are driving a vehicle equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply maximum pressure to the brake pedal to activate the system. … If possible, check behind your vehicle before entering the vehicle.
Why do people drive so close to the steering wheel?
Many people have a habit of sitting too far away from the wheel, with
their arms extended almost completely straight
. This causes you to steer with your shoulders. If you sit closer however, you are able to not only use your shoulders, but your biceps, forearms, and wrists, to better control the wheel.
What height should the steering wheel be?
When you sit back in your adjusted driving seat, the steering wheel should be
at least 10 inches from your chest
. This ensures that if an airbag deploys, your body can absorb the force without injury.
How do you steer a car when turning?
To steer your car, start by
pulling the steering wheel in the direction you want to turn
, pulling with your left hand for left turns and vice versa. Then, as you pull the steering wheel down with your hand, relax your other hand and slide it down along the wheel until it meets up with your pulling hand.
What is a no zone?
A truck's blind spots are called No Zones. A No Zone is
the area around the trucks where your car is no longer visible or you are so close that the truck can't stop or maneuver safely
. In both cases, when you are in a No Zone you are in much greater danger of getting into a collision.
