How to Hold the Steering Wheel and What It Says About You

If you’re like most drivers, chances are you haven’t given much thought about how you hold the steering wheel. When one first learns to drive, they are taught to hold the steering wheel with two hands at all times. However, as drivers become more and more accustomed to driving, they start to form bad habits. Here is some information about how to hold the steering wheel as well as what your steering wheel grip of choice says about you as a person.

How to Hold the Steering Wheel

In driver’s education of the past, instructors taught students proper hand placement on the steering wheel to be at the “10 and 2” position, alluding to the hands of a clock. However, due to airbags and advancements in steering technology, “10 and 2” is no longer the recommended steering position. Traffic safety officials now recommend that drivers should hold the steering wheel at the “9 and 3” position.

The reason traffic safety officials no longer recommend the “10 and 2” position is that this steering position can be dangerous in cars that have air bags and smaller steering columns. The activation of an air bag could injure the hands or fingers of the driver if they grip the steering wheel in the “10 and 2” position. Traumatic fractures, amputation of hands or fingers, and degloving are some examples of the injuries that can occur.

Where Do You Put Your Hands on the Steering Wheel?

Of course, not all drivers grip their steering wheel at the touted “9 and 3” position. If you grip your car’s steering wheel at a different position, here is what your steering wheel grip says about you.

1. “9 and 3” position – If you do hold your steering wheel at the “9 and 3” position, you are probably a perfectionist. Ever since you were a child, you have always liked to do things the right way. Chances are, your tendency to be a perfectionist has helped you achieve a lot of success in your life.
2. “Twelve o’clock” position – You are probably laid back and relaxed if you hold the steering wheel with one hand at the twelve o’clock position. When it comes to most situations in your life, you have an easygoing approach.
3. “Nine o’clock” position – You are probably a minimalist if you hold the steering wheel with one hand at the nine o’clock position. Such individuals prefer to lead a life that is as simple as possible. You eliminate all the excess and frills in your life and are known as genuine and straightforward among your friends and family.
4. Fingertip hold – If you hold the steering wheel with just your fingertips touching, you are probably a germaphobe. You can’t imagine going anywhere without having a bottle of hand sanitizer on you.
5. Lazy hold – This steering wheel grip involves resting both hands at the top of the steering wheel. Individuals with this steering wheel grip prefer coasting through life while doing as little work as possible.

While steering wheel grip is something that few people think about on a regular basis, proper steering wheel grip is very important when it comes to your safety while driving. Not only is steering wheel grip indicative of your safety level, but it may also be indicative of your personality.

Interested to see which personality you have based on your steering wheel grip? Check out the steering wheel grip personality test with Brightside.