Pay attention to how other drivers position their steering wheels and seats, and you’ll soon find that there doesn’t seem to be a universal standard for angle or distance. I did this on the way to drop my kiddos off at daycare. One driver had the steering wheel adjusted so close and so high that they looked through the wheel to see out of the windshield. Despite this wide range of positioning, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration  (NHTSA) actually do have recommendations for drivers. Let’s review how to avoid injuries from front airbags.

Per the IIHS, front airbags can deploy at speeds as low as 10-12 mph if the car detects an impact with a rigid object, like a static wall. If you’re belted, the airbags might deploy when your car is moving just 16 mph. Moreover, airbags contain heated gases and inflate so rapidly that sitting too close can actually cause additional injury, not prevent it. Also, depending on the angle of your wheel and how close you’re sitting, you could hit your face on the wheel’s upper rim.

In 1998, regulators required automakers to begin depowering standard airbags. This was after hundreds of injuries and deaths from the sheer force the airbags would output while inflating. These days, more sophisticated airbags can sense weight and positional factors, among other abilities.

Still, the IIHS and NHTSA say that you can still be seriously injured if you aren’t sitting with the seat and wheel properly adjusted to your personal frame.

Sit upright in the center of the seat. Keep your back against the seatback and your feet on the floor.

Some other sources say to adjust your seat bottom first before reclining away from the wheel. Ensure your hips and knees are even, and your feet can confidently reach the pedals. Avoid having your legs too outstretched or your knees folded up high.

You should sit with your chest at least 10-12 inches away from the steering wheel.

The steering wheel airbag is located in the center of the wheel, under a cover. The IIHS and NHTSA both recommend sitting as far away from the front airbags as possible. Of course, if you sit too far away, you won’t be able to reach the pedals. The most important thing to remember is to keep at least 10 inches of space between your chest and the front airbags.

Hands at 9 and 3, not 10 and 2

Remember the ole “hands at 10 and 2” saying? Well, that’s not true anymore. With today’s steering wheel designs and airbag tech, keeping your hands at 10 and 2 o’clock might cause serious hand and arm injury. The NHTSA now says “9 and 3.”

Don’t install aftermarket seat covers that block or redirect airbags

If you buy aftermarket seat covers, opt for a brand that provides OEM-spec patterns. Avoid universal seat covers. This also applies to any decor or cover on the steering wheel or dash.

I’ll also add that drivers should be careful about decor or objects around the steering wheel. Some folks place keepsakes on the tiny “shelf” created by the instrument cluster above the steering column. Unfortunately, these objects can become projectiles.

While it might “feel” safest to be close to the vehicle controls, it’s just not. At the shop, I’d occasionally remind customers who had their seats jammed up against the wheel to move it back. Be sure to spread the word to any family and friends who might not know the seriousness of proper airbag distance.