The first thing many drivers learned in driver’s ed — where to put their hands on the steering wheel — no longer applies.
Whether you were taught 10-and-2, 9-and-3 or even 8-and-4, the old rule has changed as steering wheels and air bags have evolved.
Why 10-and-2 Fell Out of Favor
“Recommendations relative to hand position on the steering wheel have become more flexible,” according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration publication Using Efficient Steering Techniques.
There is surprisingly little research comparing hand positions. “The most recent research is from 1997-’98,” said Becky Mueller, a senior research engineer with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. “That’s really old data based on first-generation air bags.”
But the longtime 10-and-2 instruction is no longer recommended, said Rachel Wilson, director of driver education programs for AAA — The Auto Club Group. It was common when vehicles lacked power steering, she said, but the higher position is no longer necessary in modern cars.
The higher grip can reduce comfort and control by causing the arms to straighten more.
Drivers may be more likely to oversteer in an emergency because pulling down is a stronger, more natural movement than lifting up.
A lower position can help drivers make more precise steering inputs and avoid excessive corrections.
AAA now recommends 9-and-3 or, for some drivers, 8-and-4.
How to Hold the Wheel in an Emergency
With hands 180 degrees apart, the 9-and-3 position provides strong leverage, quicker steering and more precise control during emergency maneuvers, Wilson said. It also lets drivers turn farther before repositioning their hands.
AAA also recommends trying 8-and-4. Some drivers find it less tiring, although it provides slightly less control in emergencies and requires drivers to relocate their hands sooner.
How Air Bags Affect Hand Position
As steering-wheel air bags became common, safety experts worried about burns and arms being thrown into a driver’s face during deployment. Modern air bags are less likely to cause those injuries.
Still, Wilson said the risk of facial injury generally decreases as the hands move lower on the wheel:
8-and-4: Lowest risk
9-and-3: Moderate risk
10-and-2 or higher: Highest risk
Mueller said the risk from modern air bags is probably much lower than in the past. She added that the steering wheel should be at least 10 to 12 inches from the driver’s chest.
If it is difficult to judge that distance, imagine placing a sheet of 8-by-10-inch paper between your chest and the wheel.
Other Driving-Position Tips
Real-world data on hand-position benefits and drawbacks remains limited. Drivers may not remember their hand position after a crash, while crash data does not capture the overwhelming majority of trips when nothing goes wrong.
AAA recommends that drivers:
Sit upright and at least 10 inches from the steering wheel.
Operate the brake and accelerator without lifting the right foot from the floor.
Adjust the rearview mirror to show the entire rear window.
View the mirror with eye movement rather than head movement.
Adjust the side mirrors so the car’s side is barely visible.
Source: AAA The Auto Club Group. This article was originally published by the Detroit Free Press.