Up until about six years ago, driving instruction professionals recommended holding the steering wheel at the 10 and 2 positions, as if on a clock. If you learned this information in driving school years ago, however, you will need to make an adjustment for the sake of your safety. The following guide will explain what you need to know. 

Where Should You Place Your Hands?

Today, most driving school professionals advise holding the wheel slightly lower than previously recommended, at the 9 and 3 o’clock positions. Others advise maintaining an even lower level, at about 8 and 4. Either position will help protect you in the event of an accident. Drivers should also remember to keep both hands on the wheel at all times.

Why Is This So Important?

Holding the steering wheel properly is key to reducing the risk of injury if a collision occurs or the airbag deploys. Experts revised previous recommendations when they found that holding the wheel higher than 9 and 3 o’clock could maximize airbag impact to the arms. Since the mechanism deploys most forcibly around this area and above to protect the chest and head, the improper position could cause severe injury.

What Are the Consequences of Improper Hand Placement? 

Most notably, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that improper hand placement during airbag deployment led to injuries like finger and hand amputations, traumatic fractures, and worse. Driving with one hand on the wheel can lead to similarly disastrous consequences in the event of a collision; it can also increase the odds of suffering an accident in the first place due to a lack of control.

For the skills you need to drive safely, consult Monroe County, New York’s top driving school. Since 1943, Morgan School of Driving has offered the reliable driving lessons beginners and novices alike need to stay safe on the road. Whether you need to prepare for your road test or improve your driving record, the premier team offers everything you need. For more information about the driving school, visit the website or call today at (585) 425-2410 to reach their Fairport location, (585) 288-6290 for Rochester, or (585) 227-9010 for Greece.