Why Driving Position Safety Matters, and How to Adjust It

Is the position of your driver's seat putting you in danger? There's a good chance it is, especially if you haven't adjusted it recently. From airbags deployed violently to simple cramps, you could get injured sitting behind the wheel wrong.

Fortunately, there are some adjustments you can make to ensure your vehicle's safety systems are protecting youTrending Does In Car Safety Technology Help Your Drive Teen Safer Driversed.com, not putting you in danger.

Why Shifting Your Seat Matters

First, let's go over some of the reasons why you should bother to change your seating position:

Keeps you focused and relaxed. Poor posture leads to muscle fatigue, especially on long drives. It makes you cramp up and even feel so tired you can't focus on the road properly. Drowsy drivingTrending Drowsy Driving Dont Be A Victim Driversed.com is a big problem.
Protects you from whiplash. A properly adjusted headrest prevents neck injuries in crashes. Yet, only 14% of Canadian driversArticles PMC3154063 Pmc have their head restraints in the right position — and American drivers aren't much better off, either.
Helps airbags work as they should. Airbags save livesDriving Information The Vehicle Air Bags Driversed.com, but only if you're seated correctly. Because they can deploy at a speed of 200 mphConsumer Education Safety Warnings Air Bag Warning For Adults Safety Center, drivers can suffer broken bones and necks from the impact when they sit too close to the inflation zone.

How to Adjust Your Driving Position in 7 Steps

Take some time to get familiarized with your vehicle's seat-adjusting levers, knobs, and buttons. Then sit down and go through these steps.

1. Tilt the Steering Wheel

The center of the steering wheel should point at your chest. Move it up or down as needed.

2. Slide the Seat Forward or Backwards

You need to be able to fully step on the pedals without having to scooch in your seat. Sit at least 10 inchesAirbags Topics away from the steering wheel.

3. Get Higher or Lower

Your thighs should rest on the seat pan comfortably, from the hips to the knees. If you can't reach the pedals easily, lower the seat. If your knees are bent and higher than your thighs, raise the seat.

4. Lean Back

Your back should touch the backrest from the shoulders down to the hips. But you should still remain upright to have a good view of your rear-view and side-view mirrorsTrending Learn To Properly Adjust And Use Mirrors Driversed.com.

5. Adjust the Headrest

The top of the headrest should be aligned with the top of your head. It could save you from neck sprains and acute pain.

6. Hold Onto the Steering Wheel

Years ago, drivers were told to keep their hands at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions while holding the steering wheel. Now, we know the 9-and-3 position gives you greater control. Always keep both hands on the wheel: one-hand steering is a dangerous habitTrending Driving Techniques Avoid Hazards Open Road Driversed.com to get into.

7. Buckle Up Safely

Seatbelts are one of the most important recent car safety featuresTrending Timeline Car Safety Through Years Driversed.com, so use them. The shoulder strap should lay flat against your chest and the lap strap should be snug on your hips. Pregnant drivers, in particular, need to pay close attention to how they're buckling up. Look in your vehicle's manual for the lever or button that adjusts the height of the seatbelt.

Learn Good Driving Habits from the Start

Knowing how to adjust your driver's seat is key to being a safe driver. It goes hand in hand with driver's ed. These classes teach you the basics of road safety. They're mandatory in many states, and they'll stay with you on every adventure you take. Learn good driving habits from the start by enrolling in an accredited driver's ed courseDrivers Ed Driversed.com.