Posture for comfort
Posture for safety
Conclusion
Posture for comfort
Driving posture is important to your comfort as you drive, your safety as you drive and for your overall health. As far as comfort and health are concerned, improper driving posture can lead to discomfort in several areas of your body including but not limited to your back, neck, shoulders, legs, arms, hands and feet. If you routinely drive with incorrect posture, you can develop chronic issues which will affect your overall quality of life and make you much more susceptible to other issues like muscle strains.
So, what is the proper posture to use when driving? Well, when you get into the driver’s seat, first be sure that your seat is the right distance from the steering wheel. An ideal distance from the steering wheel will allow you to reach it with your back completely back against the seat without having to extend your arms completely. If you find that this is not the case, then adjust your seat accordingly.
After that, be sure that your back is completely supported and comfortable. If it is not and a seat adjustment does not help much, consider driving with a lumbar pillow. Next, make sure your headrest is set so that it is useful and comfortable. After that, make sure that your mirrors are adjusted so that you do not need to strain your neck or back to get a good view to use them correctly. Finally, do not hesitate to take breaks and get out and stretch if needed.
Posture for safety
Your driving posture will also play a role in your overall safety as you drive. If you are sitting too far away from the steering wheel and/or pedals, you could be prevented from using them the right way and/or quickly enough. If you are sitting too close to the steering wheel, you are risking severe injury in the case of a collision. This is because if your airbag deploys and hits you in the chest rather than the face, neck and arms, those body parts will not be protected, and you will be at higher risk of fractures or death.
Conclusion
The posture that you sit with while you drive is much more important than many drivers tend to think. It can be the difference between driving in comfort and driving in pain or discomfort. Routine bad driving posture can lead to chronic pain issues with your back, neck, shoulders and many more areas of your body. Incorrect driving posture can also put you at risk for severe or even fatal injury in the case of an accident or collision. Before you start driving, always be sure that you will be comfortable and safe based on the way that you will be sitting.
