New car safety features make some driving techniques unsafe

Garner, N.C. — The American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association, a national group of driving instructors, is issuing new guidelines that change some age-old driving techniques and take into account safer vehicles that have new safety features.

Improved air bags have prompted changes in the "10-and-2 o'clock" hand position on the steering wheel.

"If there's a collision and an air bag deploys, that puts your fingers and hands in the way," William Powell, a driver education instructor in Garner, said.

Hands and arms obstructing the air bag during deployment could fly back and hit the driver, resulting in a broken nose or concussion. To avoid injury, experts recommend placing hands in a lower position, at 8-and-4 or 9-and-3.

Hand placement is important when turning as well. Instead of crossing arms over the air bag, experts recommend pushing and pulling the wheel around.

Powell also reminds drivers to sit back far enough from the steering wheel.

"You want the air bag to be able to do its job if it's ever deployed," Powell said. "That means it comes out at 250 mph, and it won't hit you in the face."

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Latest Comments

TeenDad2electricboogaloo Thsts the most ignorant comment today.

Let-it-be-said
May 15, 2012 11:34 a.m.

Occasionally. I catch myself driving with the left hand at the 12 O'Clock position. I wear a pretty big watch on my left arm and gaze at it momentarily and wonder where that watch would impact if the airbag deployed. Right between my eyes. That's when I move my arm down on the wheel.

3779LRRP
May 14, 2012 6:31 p.m.

Some people know how to drive, and also have cars that dont need to slow down around corners.

TeenDad2electricboogaloo
May 14, 2012 5:15 p.m.

It is a joke telling people where to put BOTH HANDS. The majority of drivers that I see on the road are only minimally using one hand that seems to only be draped over the steering wheel. Straight arm driving using both arms and hands just isn't used and generally the one handed drivers cut corners to reduce how much they have to turn the steering wheel and SLOW DOWN to safely negotiate the curve.

nomorethanthat
May 14, 2012 4:09 p.m.

"Let's see,more people get trapped and die in accidents when wearing a seat belt,seat belts do not prevent windshield smashes...they still are pretty loose,if you lean forward in your seat belt you will see...." - uhavenoclu

I hate to say it, but uhavenoclu..... you have no clue. If worn properly, you should not hit the windshield. Seat belts have an automatic lock that engages in a hard or abrupt stop. Try yanking your seat belt out as fast as you can and you'll notice this feature in action.