Dutch people hold the steering wheel incorrectly in large numbers: this is how you prevent injuries

“Ten to two” – this is how many Dutch people learned to hold the steering wheel of their car. However, this turns out not to be good. The position of your hands can lead to even more injuries in an accident.

In a report by De Telegraaf, driving instructor Erik Wentzel explains why you should hold the steering wheel of your car differently than you were taught. Various studies have also shown this.

This is how you should hold the steering wheel of your car

Holding the steering wheel in the “ten to two” position can result in more injuries in an accident. This is due to the airbag integrated into the steering wheel. If the airbag deploys, your hands could spread apart or hit your face. For example, you could suffer a concussion or break your hands.

A simple solution is to place your hands on the steering wheel in the quarter to three position. Not only does this prevent injuries, but it also gives you more control over the car. Please note that you must not put your thumbs around the steering wheel.

It’s impossible to go wrong

There are also cars where the ten-to-two position is impossible. The Tesla Model S and X are optionally available with a yoke steering wheel.

These airplane-like steering wheels are not a perfect example of safety. The special shape can be annoying, especially when parking and turning in the city.

That’s why Lexus developed steer-by-wire. Autovisie editor-in-chief Jaco Bijlsma explains how this steering wheel works in the video below.