Traveling, commuting, activities... We spend many hours behind the wheel, which is why we must adopt a correct driving posture, not only for comfort and to avoid muscle injuries, but also to be safe in the event of an accident.
We'll go over all the elements you need to adjust before starting to drive. Four simple steps , in this order—seat, steering wheel, mirrors, and seatbelt—will take just over a minute, but will ensure you maintain the proper posture for safe driving .
If you regularly use the same car, you'll only need to do this process once. However, if you share a car with a family member, rent a car, or use car-sharing services, it's essential that you review all the items listed below before setting off.
When are you properly positioned in the driver's seat?
The seat: height and distance to the pedals
The first step to sitting correctly behind the wheel is adjusting the distance between the pedals. Your legs should be semi-bent , never fully extended, as otherwise we run the risk of hip injuries in the event of an accident. Ideally, when you fully press the clutch, your leg should be slightly bent; too close, we'll have difficulty shifting from the accelerator to the brake, and too far, we won't be able to brake with the necessary intensity. Similarly, the correct distance between the seat and the steering wheel is one that keeps our arms slightly bent , allowing us the necessary space to steer comfortably. Finally, we must adjust the height of the seat so that our eyes are always halfway up the windshield and we have full visibility across the entire length and width of the hood.
The backrest: tilt and lumbar support
The ideal seatback angle should be almost completely vertical , and your back and shoulders should always be supported by it. This will prevent back pain, and although it may not seem obvious at first glance, it will increase your safety on the road. According to the DGT (Directorate General of Traffic), a seatback that is too far back reduces the effectiveness of arm movements, the headrest, and the seat belt, and can cause the "submarine effect," in which the body slides under the seatbelt in the event of an accident. To check if you are positioned correctly, sit with your back and shoulders resting on the backrest. Your arms should reach the steering wheel, half-bent and relaxed, so that if you stretch them out, you can rest your wrists on them.
The steering wheel: height, depth and hand position
It can be adjusted in height and depth , and, like the seat, its position should keep your back and shoulders against the backrest and your arms in a position that allows for comfortable maneuvering and prevents shoulder injuries in the event of an accident. Also, make sure the steering wheel is at a height that allows you to clearly view the dashboard and that your knees aren't too close to the steering wheel or your hands might bump into them when turning.
The headrest: preventing whiplash
The purpose of the headrest isn't to keep you comfortable and relaxed; it's to cushion the whiplash injury in the event of a rear-end collision. When properly positioned, the back of your head should be over the center of the headrest, 4-5 centimeters away from the headrest . Leaving it in a lower position can cause serious neck injuries.
Rearview mirrors: how to eliminate blind spots
Once you're seated correctly, it's time to position the mirrors. With your back supported and your head still, adjust the rearview mirror to cover the entire rear window . The side mirrors should be as open as possible to provide a wide field of vision, avoiding blind spots. They're correctly adjusted when you can see both inside and outside without having to move. Seat belt
The ideal seat belt position is one that allows the strap to rest on your collarbone and not rub against your neck . To achieve this, it should start just above your left shoulder, between your neck and shoulder, and always fit snugly around your chest and abdomen to be effective. Here's an infographic prepared by the DGT (Directorate General of Traffic) , which summarizes what was discussed in this article.
Emergency lights: when to activate them and why they are key to your safety
V16 lights should always be activated when you stop in a place that could pose a risk to others: a breakdown on the hard shoulder, an accident, a puncture, or even sudden braking in a traffic jam. Their purpose is to alert others to an unexpected hazard, but on their own, they aren't always enough to help them see you in time, especially if you're stopped on a curve, at night, or in poor visibility.
That's why it's so important to carry an approved car emergency light like our new Help Flash IoT+ , which improves your visibility even during the day thanks to its 250 candlepower , the highest on the market. It's installed without leaving the car, activates automatically when placed on the roof, and, when connected, sends your location in real time to the DGT cloud so other drivers can be notified as quickly as possible. It's fast, visible from more than a kilometer away, and drastically reduces the risk of being run over in an emergency situation.
Properly activating your car's lights and reinforcing them with a beacon like Help Flash isn't just about complying with regulations: it's about protecting your life and the lives of those traveling with you.
