Many people might not pay attention to how they sit while they drive. However, driving posture is actually pretty important. In fact, the way you sit can not only have negative effects on you, but also be a safety risk, especially in dangerous areas. Therefore, it’s important to know how you can improve your posture when in the car…
Driving Posture: Why It Matters
Support your back & hips
Your back and hips are two areas which will immediately benefit from you making changes to your driving posture. Try to get your tailbone as close to back of the seat as you can. Ideally, that will give you a two-to-three finger gap between the back of your knees and the seat. If not, try to get a lumbar pillow for that extra support.
As for your hips, adjust your seat pan (the part you sit on) so your thighs are entirely supported. This should leave your knees just a bit lower than your hips. That way, your hips will be a bit more open, improving comfort and circulation while driving.
Adjust your seat
Your driving posture doesn’t just relate to how you sit. It also involves where you sit. This is especially true for your seat position. If your seat’s distance, height, and angle are all out-of-sorts, then it not only worsens your control over the car, but also your overall safety.
You’ll want to have your seat at a distance where you can comfortably reach the petals without having to lead to close. However, make sure not to get to close, as this could increase your risk of injury in a crash. Also, try to have your seat high enough so you can see three inches above the steering wheel, and at an angle of around 100 to 110 degrees.
Don’t forget the headrest
The headrest is one part of car seats that many people forget to set. However, it’s actually a very important part of improving your driving posture. For starters, it helps to keep your head and neck from getting tired while you drive. Plus, it also is very important for reducing whiplash injuries in the event of a crash.
Try to have it set between the top of your ears and the top of your head. The headrest should just touch the back of your head when sitting comfortably. This position will help ensure that your head and neck get the most support and protection.