THE RIGHT POSITION

It’s important to be seated correctly behind the steering wheel for optimum control of the car as well as to ensure your safety

Driving position is often overlooked and is based on what you see others doing and being overly relaxed behind the steering wheel. While comfort should be prioritised especially for spending long hours behind the steering wheel, it is also important to adjust the driving position to maintain effective control of the steering as well as ample distance from it for the airbags to deploy without injuring you. Here’s a four step approach to help you find the optimum driving position.

1. THE SEAT SQUAB The first step is to adjust your distance from the pedals. Use the seat squab adjuster to move forward or rearward till there is a slight bend in your knees while fully pressing down on the brake pedal. This will ensure optimum braking pressure in the event of an emergency braking situation while keeping your legs relaxed and not stretched out.

2. THE SEAT BACK Then adjust the seat back to determine reach from the steering wheel. Adjust the seat back till your elbows are slightly bent and with both hands on the wheel, turn the steering lock to lock to see that there’s no stretch in the arms. A simple guide is to have the seat back positioned far enough to hang your wrist over the top of the steering wheel.

3. THE STEERING COLUMN Most cars now offer reach and rake adjustment of the steering wheel to optimise the position so make sure that the seat squab is constant while you adjust the seat back and steering column to meet the above criteria.

4. THE MIRRORS The next step is to ensure great all around visibility. If your car has a seat height adjuster, increase it till you have a fist’s space between your head and the roof liner. Take a look around the window areas and ensure that most of

the surroundings are visible. Then adjust the ORVMs keeping one third of the car in the inside frame while the rest should give you a view of both the left and right sides. Now adjust the inside rear view mirror to have maximum visibility from the rear window.

Once in position it’s time to buckle up and if you’re under the impression that seat belts can be uncomfortable then there are adjustments that can be made to ease the pressure exerted by the belts. For the front occupants, use the seat belt height adjuster located on the inside B-pillar of the car, to a height where it clears the collarbone. The rear passengers can adjust the buckles to fit larger individuals and always ensure that the buckle clicks when inserted into the lock.

Head restraints (above) are to prevent whiplash in the event of a crash. Make sure to adjust them to a suitable height where rearward movement of the head is restricted. (Below) Adjust the reach of the steering so that your wrist hangs over the top of the steering wheel

Even the middle passenger at the back should be buckled in and instead of a three-point harness, a two pint option is provided in each car. Adjust the buckles to find a comfortable position ensuring that the belt is never too tight or loose. Lastly, ensure a click of the lock when inserting the buckle

The ORVMs are crucial to ensure safe sideways distance from other cars and the median while also coming in handy when parking into tight spaces. The IRVM is there for clear rear view from the rear window, do not use it as a vanity mirror