How to Hold Onto the Wheel Can Seriously Injure You in an Accident
Last year I learned to drive again after a 10-year hiatus. I was surprised at how drastically the cars changed during this period; I learned to be easier on the gas and brakes, and whenever I used the rearview camera to park, I felt like I was cheating. I didn’t learn this: keeping the steering wheel at the “10 and 2” mark is no longer ideal. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the event of an accident, you could seriously injure your hands while driving in this position.
Airbags are to blame, according to a 2012 NBC News report that recently appeared on MetaFilter . They are designed to protect your head and chest in the event of an accident. But if your hands are too high on the steering wheel, the deployed airbag can hit you in the face, causing injury. The chemical reaction that inflates the airbag can also injure the hands, sometimes requiring amputation.
Instead, place your hands on opposite sides of the wheel: “9 and 3”. An AAA spokesman told NBC News that the position is also generally more ergonomic, giving the driver better control over the vehicle.
Finally, when turning the wheel, do not do the old arm-over-arm maneuver by crossing your arms in front of the wheel. Simply pull down with one hand and lift with the other while holding both on the wheel.
Keep up with the times: you are driving the wrong car | NBC News