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Driving Tips > The 60-Second Driver
Driver Positioning
The driver's position is crucial for both comfort and safety. Too many people sit too close to the steering wheel, and many don't have their mirrors adjusted properly.
Here are a few things you can do to improve your comfort and safety behind the wheel-things you can do before you leave the driveway.
Correct distance from the steering wheel
- You should sit high enough in the driver's seat to see over the steering wheel and hood.
- You should be able to see the ground four to six meters in front of the car. Use a firm cushion if needed.
- You should be sitting far enough away
that your arms are slightly bent. This allows for better control in surprise
situations. Of course, some drivers may have to move the seat forward to reach
the pedals and then tilt the seat back into the correct position.
- If the vehicle is equipped with a driver air bag, you should be positioned a minimum of 30 cm from it.
- Adjust the head restraint so the back of your head is directly to the middle of the head restraint, on a level with your ears.
Hand position on the steering wheel
Your hand placement on the steering wheel should
be at the 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock position.
NOTE: When driving in winter, don't wear wool mittens because they may slip on the steering wheel.
Seat Belts
Adjust the lap belt to fit snugly across the hips with very little slack--a minimum of two fingers--between the shoulder belt and your chest. Some older vehicle models may use a two-part seat belt system. In these cases, always use the lap and shoulder belts together--never wear only the lap belt. When you fasten your seat belt, make sure others in the car do the same.
Adjusting mirrors
Without moving your head from the driving position, adjust the rear-view mirror so you can see out the rear window with the right edge of the mirror aligned with the right edge of the rear window.
And when positioning the side mirrors, remember that you don't need to see the side of your car in the mirror. Adjust the mirror slightly wider so you can see what's beside you and in the next lane.
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