Close up of a young person's hands on the steering wheel while driving on the highway at sunset

You Shouldn’t Have Your Hands on the Wheel at 10 and 2

Many people were taught in driving school to hold the steering wheel at 10:00 and 2:00, imagining the wheel as a traditional clock.

However, that method may now be outdated.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), we now know there are more effective ways to hold the wheel. Some of the methods recommended by the NHTSA include:

  • Hand-to-hand steering
  • Hand-over-hand steering
  • One-hand steering

Read on to learn more.

Hand-to-Hand Steering

This is the preferred steering method over 10:00 and 2:00 because the latter can be unsafe in vehicles with steering wheels that are smaller in size and are airbag-equipped.

Hand-to-hand steering involves your left-hand holding the wheel between 7:00 and 8:00 and your right-hand grasping the wheel between 4:00 and 5:00.

Hand-Over-Hand Steering

You should use this steering method when:

  • Turning at slow speeds with low visibility at an intersection,
  • Parking the vehicle, and
  • Recovering from a skid.

Your left hand should hold the wheel between 8:00 and 9:00, and your right hand should be between 3:00 and 4:00.

One-Hand Steering

When you are in reverse or using your vehicle’s controls that you must remove your hands from the wheel to activate, you may use one-hand steering.

When using one-hand steering, keep your hand at the 8:00-9:00 or the 3:00-4:00 position, depending on your vehicle’s steering wheel design. Doing so achieves the following:

  • Maintains vehicle stability
  • Decreases steering reversals
  • Allows for additional steering efforts as needed

Having your hand at the 12:00 position is only suggested when reversing the vehicle to the left or right and you must turn in your seat to see where you are going.

If You’re Hurt, We’re Here

If another driver’s negligence caused you to sustain injuries in a car accident, we’re here to help you recover the damages you deserve.

Call our firm today at (504) 470-3935 or fill out the online contact form to discuss the details of your case and learn how we can help.

Categories

Hear From Our Past Clients

    So happy I choose Womac Law Firm!

    “So happy I choose Womac Law Firm after I was rear-ended and my car was totaled! Chris and his paralegal Amber were very helpful, always available when I had questions, and always made me feel like I was a priority!”

    Mr. Womac was always accessible each time I reached out.

    “Very happy. Mr. Womac was always accessible each time I reached out with a question or concern, much appreciated.”

    They truly make you feel valued all the way to the end.

    “My experience with The Womac firm was by far the easiest and most professional process I've had thus far. They truly make you feel valued all the way to the end.”

    Most importantly they all cared about my health! Thanks, Ed.

    “My experience at Womac was pleasant every visit. When I needed something, I talked to my attorney, they made time for me. Most importantly they all cared about my health! Thanks, Ed.”

    Satisfied client.

    “Definitely pleased with the outcome of my case. My attorney was great and completely communicated with me every step of the way. They got everything I needed to be handled.”

    Highly Recommend

    “Very satisfied with the amount of professionalism and help from the entire firm.”

    The Womac law firm is phenomenal.

    “They are beyond professional and extremely assertive, everything you would want in an attorney. Ryan was wonderful to work with, very informative, and accessible. I wouldn’t go anywhere else!”

Schedule Your Free Consultation

At The Womac Law Firm, you aren't just a number.
  • Please enter your first name.
  • Please enter your last name.
  • Please enter your phone number.
    This isn't a valid phone number.
  • Please enter your email address.
    This isn't a valid email address.
  • Please make a selection.
  • Please enter a message.