where are your hands on steering wheel?

18 years ago

When I was learning to drive, 37 years ago, they taught us to position our hands at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions on the steering wheel. However, during the time when my 3 kids were taking Driver's Ed., they've changed that recommendation twice. A number of years ago they revised our student driver's lessons to teach that the better position is the 9 and 3 o'clock placement. Now, for my youngest son, they have changed it again, to the 8 and 4 o'clock postion, saying that this placement is better than the former two, because most cars these days have air bags. Apparently, the air bags can inflate without hitting the arms in this position.

Out of curiosity I Googled hand positions for driving and found that the 'preferred' placement (taught in driving schools) greatly varies, according to geographical location. As well, many police forces are making it mandatory that their officer's now use the 8 and 4 position, citing better safety, yet the driving schools in the same city are teaching the 10 and 2 or 9 and 3 position. Where do you put your hands on the sterring wheel? Do your children use a different placement?

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Comments (9)

barb_from_pa
18 years ago
10 and 2 here. I can't think you could control the wheel as well with 8 and 4 but what do I know? :)
susanjf_gw
18 years ago
all my kids are in their 30's, so thay would have been taught like you...i do think dd1 who learned to drive in ca is much better than her 3 sibs who learned here in mi...
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I really was taken aback by the "holier than thou" take on my post. I sure don't feel that way, nor did I intend to come off that way. Hands free is legal in my state, however, the law now prohibits any contact with your cell, even when stopped in traffic. I've never used my cell in the car, I never look at texts and certainly wouldn't text myself. If hands free were illegal, I wouldn't do it. I never used my phone in the car before I had hands free and it is really a rare occasion when I do now - maybe to let someone know I'm stuck in traffic or running late. I have one route I take on a 2 lane country highway to my cabin, with long stretches of open road and sometimes I will talk to a friend for an extended period, but that, too, is rare. I am careful about when and where I talk, not on unfamiliar roads or when traffic seems to be erratic. I do feel like I am a super aware driver, I drive defensively. The same with my GPS...I always put in the address before I start moving and it talks me through maneuvers. I do glance at the dash display to see what the next move is going to be and how far away it is, but like I said above, it's no more of a glance than at my speedometer. I guess you can be livid if you want. I hope you don't ever turn on your car radio, or change the station or listen to the news. For some people that could be a big distraction and time with your eyes off the road. Same with smokers who light up while driving. Or people who drink their lattes, or even sip from water bottles. Only one hand available to control your car. I think it's a spectrum of distractions and abilities.
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donna_oh
18 years ago
I'm a 10 & 2'er----

Donna (^_^)
nanny98
18 years ago
I also learned the 10 and 2 positions 50 years ago. I have been aware of the new "rules" for some time and they make too much sense to me to ignore. Having had both wrists broken (one at a time), I can't imagine having both of them broken at the same time...and it happens. Nanny
Lindsey_CA
18 years ago
I sort of vary between the 10 and 2 position and the 9 and 3 position.

I tried the 8 and 4 position, but it felt too awkward and felt like I would have less control if something happened suddenly.
foggyj
18 years ago
Same as lindsey. 10-2 and 9-3
jannie
18 years ago
My father used to drive with one hand in the six o'clock position. Not good, I know. I have always kept my two hands on the wheel at 10 and 2. I taught my kids the same, always keep BOTH hands on the wheel. I don't know what the police recommend.
Mystical Manns
18 years ago
I was taught 10 and 2 many many years ago. With this truck, I often find my hands in the 9 and 3 position, since where the airbag is in the steering wheel creates a kind of bar ... or band ... through the center, and I rest my hands on that instead of on the wheel itself. I shouldn't do that, if the truck jerks suddenly for any reason I won't have control, so I've been trying to catch myself and move back to the 10 and 2.
Jasdip
18 years ago
I was taught the 10 and 2 position as well.

I took a winter driving safe driving mini-course a few years ago and they stressed the 9 and 3 position.

When your hands are at 9 and 3 they never have to leave the wheel to correct a skid, and your car is always straight. When they're anywhere else, your hands will flail all over the place and the wheel will spin out of control (as will the car). You know how when you see videos of people's hands flying all over the place, and they have no idea if there car is straight or not?

Try your hands at 9 and 3, and you'll see that you can turn the wheel all the way around without your hands leaving it.

where are your hands on steering wheel?

Comments (9)

barb_from_pa

susanjf_gw

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