Motorists can easily fall into bad habits once they become comfortable with driving. One of the first things that may be overlooked is hand placement on the steering wheel.
However, an inappropriate grip on the steering wheel could significantly increase the risk of a crash, particularly if it reduces control over the vehicle. Rule 160 of the Highway Code emphasises that drivers should keep both hands on the wheel whenever possible once the vehicle is in motion. It states: “This will help you to remain in full control of the vehicle at all times.”
However, the exact positioning of your hands on the steering wheel is also crucial. While drivers have traditionally been taught to place their hands in a ’10 o’clock and 2 o’clock’ position, this is no longer applicable for most cars.
The reason for this change is that vehicle steering wheels and internal mechanisms have evolved significantly over time, with many cars now having more responsive steering that requires less effort from the driver. As a result, experts such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advise against the 2 and 10 method as it can actually increase danger in vehicles with smaller steering wheels and airbags.
The NHTSA recommends using a hand-over-hand steering method for turning at low speeds with limited visibility. This involves gripping the steering wheel with the left hand between 8 and 9 o’clock and the right hand between 3 and 4 o’clock, initiating the steer with the top third of the wheel and pushing up the wheel with the other hand.
In other situations, it is generally advised to use hand-to-hand steering (also known as push/pull steering). Here, the left hand grips the wheel between 7 and 8 o’clock and the right hand between 4 and 5 o’clock.
With this method, one hand pushes the wheel up while the opposite hand slides up, grips the wheel, and pulls down to turn.
This method is preferred because the hand never crosses over the steering wheel, reducing the risk of injury to the face, hands, and arms in the event of a frontal crash due to an airbag deployment. If the driver needs to use one hand for an operation inside the vehicle, such as activating the wipers, it’s recommended to keep the other hand between 8 and 9 o’clock for the left hand or 3 and 4 o’clock for the right hand to maintain stability.
This method also provides more control, allowing drivers to have stable steering if they need to perform an emergency manoeuvre and add additional steering with little reaction time, thus reducing the likelihood of a serious accident.
More information on the NHTSA’s guidance for steering can be accessed online here.