Get to Know Your Vehicle’s Safety Features
These recommendations from occupational therapist Tamalea Stone create a safer and more comfortable driving experience.
By Graham Heeps
Minor adjustments to your seat and mirrors could make your drive safer and more comfortable. | PHOTO: PROSTOCK-STUDIO/ADOBE STOCK
AS A DRIVER, especially a seasoned one, getting into the car and going for a drive is done without a second thought. You set your mirrors and adjusted your seat at some point long ago, and they seem just fine. But are they? Are you sure your car is set up ideally for both safety and comfort? Are you using all of your vehicle’s safety features and technology to your advantage?
Tamalea Stone is a nationally recognized occupational therapist with expertise in driving assessment and rehabilitation. She says that comfort and safety always start with the proper seating position. “Your eyes should be [a minimum of] three inches above the steering wheel, and you should be 10 inches away from the wheel to allow the air bag to deploy,” she advises. “Mirrors should be angled out to minimize the blind spot. All [drivers] should see is the back of the rear-door handle.”
A sub-optimal driving position is not just a safety consideration — it impacts your health and comfort, too. With trucks, SUVs and larger vehicles, this issue can be more pronounced. “It can result in neck strain or back pain,” she cautions. “If you don’t have a clear view and have to look up over the wheel, that can cause musculoskeletal problems within the neck, and tension can increase. When someone’s tense and not comfortable behind the wheel, they are less likely to be able to react in a timely manner to an unexpected situation. Proper fit really supports the safety and comfort of the driver — and affects the safety of other drivers, too.”
New technology, such as a blind-spot monitoring system, can support a safer drive. | PHOTO: UFLYPRO/ADOBE
Occupational therapist Tamalea Stone helps drivers enhance comfort and safety. | PHOTO: COURTESY OF TAMALEA STONE
“A sub-optimal driving position is not just a safety consideration — it impacts your health and comfort, too.”
Make sure you know how to use your hands-free dashboard infotainment system before you start driving. | PHOTO: ANDRBK/ADOBE STOCK
Stone also believes it’s important to take full advantage of available driver assistance systems — but notes that it can be hard to keep on top of the technology in modern vehicles, leading some drivers to switch systems off or ignore the potential benefits. While some dealers or sellers will walk a buyer through the full gamut of the vehicle’s capabilities, not all do. Information about these can be found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual. You can search by VIN number or model on your car brand’s website for a digital version. If you want further clarification, there are often helpful YouTube videos that demonstrate the functionality of your car’s features. Because our cognitive capacity is limited and ingrained habits are hard to change, Stone suggests prioritizing both safety and convenience technologies that will have the greatest impact on your situation. For example, just about everyone has a smartphone with a Bluetooth connection, so it makes sense to set up hands-free connectivity to access apps. The driver should learn how to use the interface properly for things like answering a call or setting up navigation in order to minimize driver distraction.
“Many people will also benefit from blind-spot notifications,” she adds, because range of peripheral vision varies among drivers, and “because people simply aren’t doing shoulder checks, and are missing pieces of information as a result — especially in congested cities.” Conversely, if you live in a rural area, you might not be as concerned about spotting e-scooters, but on a long, straight road, a lane-departure warning system could help keep you safe in the event of distraction or fatigue. These systems have been created to enhance the user experience, but it is important to remember that these features are not meant to replace driver awareness or skill. Whatever the technology, it’s crucial to learn how to use and respond to it properly so you’re not trying to figure it out while you’re driving. Stone suggests consulting your vehicle’s user manual, vehicle dealership and online resources. The next time you get into the driver’s seat, take a moment to consider Stone’s recommendations and ensure you’ve optimized your vehicle’s features to provide you with the best possible comfort and safety on the road. CAA