Proper driving position is one of the keys to safe driving

There is no point in having the most comfortable and safest car if the driver's seat adjustment is not set correctly. Driving position is the key to safety, because you will be comfortable, you will drive the car correctly, and respond quickly and efficiently to any unforeseen circumstances.

It is not always easy to achieve the optimal driving position as it depends on the type of settings your vehicle includes, but there are minimum settings that should always be considered when driving. We are talking about adjusting the distance between the seats, height, backrest, headrest and steering wheel.

1. Position the seat at the optimal distance

Sit so that the buttocks are pressed tightly against the corner that forms the seat and its back. Then fully depress the clutch with your left foot and make sure that the knee is bent (the leg does not have to be fully extended!). This is very important, because otherwise you will have no sense of touch, no sensation to the clutch pedal, no effort to the brake pedal.

2. Check the seat height

Now is the time to adjust the seat height. Modern cars already have a driver's seat height adjuster. This type of adjustment is necessary to prevent getting too close to the steering wheel, which can interfere with proper steering. It is also recommended to drive with the seat as low as possible, as stability is higher and body movements affect the driver less. But you should always prioritize good visibility, so adjust the height so you can view the dashboard and windshield properly. Seat height adjustment is a very important and often overlooked element in achieving correct driving posture. If you sit too low, you may not notice if an object is on the road, and if you sit too high, it will be difficult to follow the changing traffic lights at the intersection.

3. Adjust the inclination of the seat back

Also consider the tilt of the seat back. Don't drive too straight, but don't go too vertical either. The ideal posture is one in which your back rests well on the seatback and your outstretched hand rests your wrist on the top of the steering wheel. In this way, the arms will be slightly bent in order to steer with precision, sensitivity, stability and comfort and thus to maneuver well. Do not lift your shoulders from the seatback when adjusting the seatback.

4. Adjust the correct height of the steering wheel of the car

The seat adjustment discussed above is closely related to a good steering wheel fit. All vehicles have steering wheel height adjustment, but not all include depth adjustment, which is highly recommended for optimal driving position.

Depth adjustment helps you adjust the handlebar according to the angle of the seat back so that your wrist rests perfectly on it. When adjusting the height, your knees should not be in contact with the steering wheel, and you should have a good view of the dashboard and the road.

5. Headrest

By adjusting the seat and steering wheel, you have already found a comfortable driving position, but it is still not entirely safe. Head restraints are often overlooked despite their function being to reduce neck injuries in the event of an accident. To properly position it, the top of the headrest should match the height of your eyes. This will be effective if whiplash is avoided when the back of the head is practically in contact with it at a distance of about four centimeters.

6. Seat belt

Even if you position yourself correctly, it will be of little use if you don't fasten your seat belt carefully.

7. Pay attention to the rear-view mirrors

Finally, it remains for us to talk about adjusting the rear-view mirrors, both external and internal. Start by centering the interior rearview mirror with the rear window so that you get the maximum field of vision without having to move your head.

The main function of the exterior mirrors is to prevent blind spots and display what is happening behind the car in the driver's field of vision. Direct them to the body and open it. You will realize that they are well adjusted when the car passes you and you see it first through the inside mirror and when it disappears it will appear in the outside rearview mirror.