Proper Sitting Position While Driving 1. Adjust the Seat Distance From the Pedals Your knees should be slightly bent (around 120...
Proper Sitting Position While Driving
1. Adjust the Seat Distance From the Pedals
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Your knees should be slightly bent (around 120°).
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You should be able to press the brake fully without stretching or lifting your back off the seat.
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Sitting too far causes fatigue; too close increases injury risk in case of an airbag deployment.
Your knees should be slightly bent (around 120°).
You should be able to press the brake fully without stretching or lifting your back off the seat.
Sitting too far causes fatigue; too close increases injury risk in case of an airbag deployment.
2. Set the Seat Height Correctly
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Ensure you have a clear view of the road and dashboard.
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Keep at least 3–4 inches of clearance between your head and the roof.
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Your hips should be level with or slightly higher than your knees.
Ensure you have a clear view of the road and dashboard.
Keep at least 3–4 inches of clearance between your head and the roof.
Your hips should be level with or slightly higher than your knees.
3. Maintain Proper Backrest Angle
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The ideal recline angle is 100°–110°.
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Too upright causes fatigue; too reclined reduces steering control.
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Your shoulders should always remain in contact with the seat.
The ideal recline angle is 100°–110°.
Too upright causes fatigue; too reclined reduces steering control.
Your shoulders should always remain in contact with the seat.
4. Adjust the Headrest
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Center the headrest with the middle of your head — not your neck.
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Keep it close (1–2 inches) but not touching your head.
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This reduces whiplash risk in rear-end collisions.
Center the headrest with the middle of your head — not your neck.
Keep it close (1–2 inches) but not touching your head.
This reduces whiplash risk in rear-end collisions.
5. Keep Both Hands on the Steering Wheel
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Recommended hand position: 9 and 3 o’clock (modern airbags make this safer than 10 & 2).
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Keep elbows slightly bent, not locked.
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Your hands should move freely without leaning forward.
Recommended hand position: 9 and 3 o’clock (modern airbags make this safer than 10 & 2).
Keep elbows slightly bent, not locked.
Your hands should move freely without leaning forward.
6. Support Your Lower Back
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Use built-in lumbar support if your car has it.
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If not, place a small cushion or towel behind the lower spine.
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Your lower back should naturally curve — avoid slouching.
Use built-in lumbar support if your car has it.
If not, place a small cushion or towel behind the lower spine.
Your lower back should naturally curve — avoid slouching.
7. Position the Steering Wheel Properly
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Keep the wheel 10–12 inches from your chest (safer for airbag deployment).
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Tilt it so it faces your chest, not your face.
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Ensure gauges are visible through the wheel.
Keep the wheel 10–12 inches from your chest (safer for airbag deployment).
Tilt it so it faces your chest, not your face.
Ensure gauges are visible through the wheel.
8. Keep Your Feet Positioned Correctly
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Right foot on the accelerator, heel on the floor pivoting between brake and accelerator.
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Left foot should rest on the footrest (dead pedal) — this stabilizes your hips and improves comfort.
Right foot on the accelerator, heel on the floor pivoting between brake and accelerator.
Left foot should rest on the footrest (dead pedal) — this stabilizes your hips and improves comfort.
9. Avoid Leaning or Twisting
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Keep your spine straight.
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Avoid leaning on one elbow or driving with your body tilted.
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This prevents stiffness and long-term spinal misalignment.
Keep your spine straight.
Avoid leaning on one elbow or driving with your body tilted.
This prevents stiffness and long-term spinal misalignment.
10. Relax Your Shoulders and Neck
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Keep shoulders down, not raised.
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Avoid pushing your neck forward.
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Sit tall with a relaxed upper body.
Keep shoulders down, not raised.
Avoid pushing your neck forward.
Sit tall with a relaxed upper body.
