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Tips for how to reduce the risk of injury and pain while driving.
Is driving your car causing you pain? A common complaint for those that have a lengthy commute or spend a significant time in their car, is pain and discomfort in the lower back, knees, and neck. These pains can be caused by awkward postures, mechanical and road vibrations, and pressure on the upper legs, low back, and buttocks.
Tips to Avoid Driving Discomfort
With a few easy changes to your seat set-up, you can greatly reduce your risk of musculoskeletal injury and discomfort.
- Seat positioning
- Raise seat height so knees are at a 90-degree angle, aligning hips and knees
- Position seat so you can reach pedals without losing back support
- Position lumbar adjustment to support the curve of the low back
- Backrest
- The ideal angle is 100-110 degrees which reduces pressure on low back
- Headrest
- Position Adjust so this sits in the middle of your head
- Steering wheel height and tilt
- The recommended distance is 10-12 inches to reduce the reach
- Hold at 9 & 3 or 8 & 4 o’clock to improve posture and safety
The Dos and Don’ts of Car Ergonomics
Do:
- Adjust your seat belt height to ensure the chest band hits the shoulder properly
- Adjust mirror angles to avoid craning your neck
- Take stretch breaks during extended car trips.
Don’t:
- Twist when entering and exiting the vehicle
- Lean on the windowsill or console
- Text and drive or allow other distractions take your eyes off of the road
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