Why are traditional steering wheel hand positions like 10:00/2:00 no longer acceptable?

The traditional steering wheel hand positions of 10:00 and 2:00 are no longer considered safe primarily because they can lead to serious injury during an airbag deployment. In the event of a crash, when airbags deploy at high speed, a driver’s hands positioned at these points can be pushed back into their face. This can cause facial injuries or other harm due to the violent deployment of the airbag.

Current recommendations suggest placing the hands lower, around the 9:00 and 3:00 positions. This allows for better control of the vehicle while minimizing the risk of injury from deploying airbags. Additionally, this hand positioning can enhance steering control and responsiveness without compromising safety.