In light of all the accidents we have around here - here's my PSA for the day :lol: http://www.wral.com/5onyourside/story/5368461/ Research shows how a person is positioned inside the car can impact how seriously they get hurt in a wreck. Experts say small adjustments can make a big difference in safety. “If you can adjust your headrest, you want to place it so that the middle of the headrest is about equal with the middle of the back of your head. That improves your protection if you're hit from behind,” Consumer Reports’ Tom Mutchler said. “You want the backrest to be almost vertical, with a slight recline, so it gives you some lower-back support." The distance between the driver and the steering wheel is also important. “When you put your arm straight out, your wrist should rest on top of the rim. And if you have an adjustable seat belt anchor, position the seat belt high enough that it doesn't easily slide off your shoulder. Having the seat positioned properly will help the belts hold you securely in case of an accident,” Mutchler said. Most people were taught the “10 and 2” hand position for the steering wheel, which means looking at the steering wheel as a clock and placing your hands on the 10 p.m. and 2 p.m. spots. This position is no longer recommended. Experts suggest the “9 and 3” or “8 and 4” positions. In the higher position, drivers can't steer very far before their arm crosses in front of the air bag. So when it deploys, the driver’s forearm is thrown back into his face. The lower positions give the driver a better range and minimize the risk of injury to the driver’s arms, hands and fingers. For the same reason, drivers are told to grip the steering wheel with palms forward and thumbs pointed up. Foot position is also important. Drivers should make sure their right foot can pivot from the accelerator to the brake pedal without taking the heel off the floor of the car. That provides equal protection whether you have to speed up or stop short. Blind spots should also be minimized. Thousands of accidents occur each year because people change lanes into a vehicle that's right next to them. To protect yourself, make sure your mirrors are positioned for maximum road view. Experts say for the driver's side, place the side of your head against the window, then adjust the mirror until the side of your vehicle comes into view. For the passenger's side mirror, you should sit in the driver's seat and lean to the right so that your head is in the car's centerline. Adjust the mirror until the side of your vehicle comes into view. A tip to test that your mirrors are correctly aligned: When a vehicle leaves the field of vision of your rear-view mirror, you should be able to see it immediately in one of your side mirrors.
Don't take your drivers test in a sports car! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHAvr-G5DHo&feature=player_embedded
All very important tips that seasoned drivers should really already know, but should review. IMO, there are TWO leading causes in traffic accidents: Overconfidence and lack of confidence. A driver needs to relax and focus on getting from Point A to Point B safely. Actually, tensing up can cause more injury.
