The recommendation for the 10 & 2 hand position went out when air bags came in.  The reason is that the air bag, when it deploys, comes out at speeds of 150 to 200 miles per hour.  If your hands are in the upper part of the wheel (the traditional 10 & 2 position), your hands can be thrown into your head causing a serious head injury or your wrist or forearm can be broken.  Thumbs have been severed because of the speed at which the seams of the air bag cuts across the hand.

The recommended positions are 9 &3 or 8 & 4.  I’m not a big fan of the 8 & 4 position, but, depending upon the design of the steering wheel, it works okay. The important thing though is that the driver maintain control of the steering wheel.  Below the 8 & 4 position, I believe you sacrifice control plus the ability to perform an avoidance steer.

Air bags now require drivers to do the following:

1. Sit at least 10 inches away from the bag - otherwise the bag can explode into you, causing serious harm.

2. Use the 9 & 3 position or 8 & 4 hand position.

3. If you have a tilt function on the steering wheel, make sure the wheel is tilted away from the head (preferably toward the chest).

4. Older, frail persons and children 13 and under should sit in the back seat.  Front seat airbags have killed children and older people.

Remember, air bags are a “Supplementary Restraint System”.  Your safety belt is your primary restraint and, for you to get the best protection with your air bags, you need to use your safety belt properly.