Don’t hold the wheel at 10 and 2

You were probably told that you need to put your hands on the steering wheel at “ten and two.” This was common advice for decades, and it just means imagining the wheel as a clock and holding it where the 10:00 and 2:00 positions would be. It’s advice that was given to millions of students, year after year.

It’s also outdated.

The issue is the airbag. The idea of 10 and 2 came about long before airbags, and it works well to help you maintain control over the car. However, with an airbag now exploding out of the front of the wheel in the event of a crash, you could suffer serious injuries. Your own hands may strike you in the face, for instance, or the airbag could break your fingers.

It is still wise to have two hands on the wheel. Instead of putting them near the top, though, put your hands lower down or on the outside edges. This way, the airbag has room to deploy if needed.

After all, it’s very clear that you can drive flawlessly and still get involved in an accident. If another driver causes that crash, you have little to no warning, and it all happens in a split second. You need to constantly position your arms so that you’re as safe as possible if a crash occurs. Don’t get complacent. You could drive for years without incident and then get hit when someone runs a red light or texts while driving.

If you do get injured in that accident, you may then be able to seek financial compensation for your injuries and losses. When someone else makes a mistake, you shouldn’t have to bear the financial consequences.