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SAN DIEGO — It’s something that drivers may not give much thought, but it could be the difference between escaping a crash unscathed and getting seriously hurt.
FOX 5 asked California Highway Patrol: How important is where you place your hands on a steering wheel?
“There’s no law that specifically regulates where you put your hands. However, we need to remember it’s more important than ever now because that airbag comes out over 200 MPH,” Sgt. Brian Pennings said.
Hand position on a steering wheel is often referred to in terms of hands on a clock. You’ve likely heard “10 and 2,” short for 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock. It means one hand on each side of the wheel, each slightly higher than halfway up.
Drivers can place their hands at 10 and 2, 9 and 3 or 8 and 4, Penning says, as long as they are using both hands and their hands are placed symmetrically.
There is one position that is not recommended: 12, or a hand on the top middle of the wheel.
“You don’t want to give yourself a knuckle sandwich when that airbag comes out,” Pennings said, adding that he has seen “people give themselves injuries based on their hand placement when the airbag deploys.”
Your hand could also be obstructing your view through the front windshield.
If you’re driving a manual transmission vehicle, you can place your left hand at 8 o’clock, as that’s the lowest position, and put your right hand in the 4 o’clock position when you’re done shifting. That way, your hands are symmetrically placed while being closest to the gear stick.
“It just naturally goes there, so that’s the recommendation,” Pennings said.
Pennings adds that you can even learn a thing or two watching professional drivers, whose hands are always at 10 and 2.
FAQs
You should sit in a comfortable, but vertical position, and keep both hands on the steering wheel. Slouching in the driver's seat or using only one hand on the wheel makes it more difficult or even dangerous to control your vehicle. Traffic conditions change continuously. Always scan the road ahead.
How should you hold your steering wheel? ›
Experts at the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) now recommend 9 and 3 — on opposite sides of the wheel halfway up — as the ideal steering wheel hand placement. The 9 and 3 steering wheel hand position maintains good control over the wheel while reducing the risk of injury from the airbag.
Is the steering wheel 10 and 2 or 9 and 3? ›
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.
Which of the following is the correct way to hold your steering wheel? ›
Proper placement of your hands on the steering wheel is essential to driving your vehicle safely. Remember to place your hands in the nine and three position at all times while driving. Never drive with only one hand, your fingertips, or, even worse, with your knees.
Is best to grip the steering wheel at 10 and 2 o clock True or false? ›
10 and 2 o'clock
They can deploy at 100-200mph, (which has saved an estimated 18,000 lives) but positioning at 10 and 2 leaves the hands and arms in the crossfire should an airbag need to deploy, and the driver at risk of arm and wrist injuries, as well as injuries to the face.
What is the correct position of the steering wheel? ›
The steering wheel: ideally, the steering wheel should be positioned so that its centre is at the same height as your neck. We recommend you flex your arms and place both hands on the steering wheel in a quarter-to-three position. Your elbows should be at 90 degrees.
What holds the steering wheel? ›
Although not all automotive steering systems are the same, rack-and-pinion is one of the most common. In this design, the steering wheel attaches to a shaft (called a steering column) that connects to a rack (a long metal component with serrated teeth that links the two front wheels together).
What are your 2 options to hold the steering wheel at? ›
10 and 2 is often recommended as it does provide good control, 9 and 3 can be more comfortable, but experienced drivers often change depending on the situation (i.e. becoming more relaxed on easier roads, raising hands in busier areas). Just keep 2 hands on unless changing gear.
What is the modern way to grip the steering wheel? ›
According to Practical Motoring, the most recommended way to hold the steering wheel for general driving is with your hands placed at the 9 and 3 positions – where the 9 and 3 would appear if your steering wheel was a clock face.
What is the safest technique used for steering wheel control? ›
From a safety perspective, steering with the push and pull technique is recommended as it ensures the driver always has a firm grip on the wheel, avoiding crossed-hand positions. Moreover, in challenging situations, drivers can maneuver the car more swiftly.
The NHTSA recommends hand-to-hand steering as the preferred method rather than 10 and 2 because it can be unsafe in vehicles featuring smaller steering wheels and are equipped with airbags.
What does 10 and 2 mean? ›
In the context of driving, "10 and 2" refers to the recommended hand positions on the steering wheel. It means placing your hands on the steering wheel at the 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions, as if the wheel were a clock face.
How do you hold the steering wheel ergonomically? ›
The 9 and 3 o'clock position is the most widely recommended hand position by driving instructors and safety experts. To follow this, place your left hand at the 9 o'clock position and your right hand at the 3 o'clock position on the steering wheel.
