Why should a driver keep their hands away from the top of the steering wheel?

Keeping hands away from the top of the steering wheel is primarily important for safety reasons, particularly concerning airbag deployment. In the event of a collision, if the airbag deploys, it can rapidly inflate and push against anything that is located at the top of the steering wheel. If a driver’s hands are positioned there, they could be struck by the airbag, leading to potential injuries. Therefore, proper hand placement on the steering wheel is typically recommended at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions or the 8 and 4 positions, which not only helps in steering control but also minimizes the risk of injury during an accident.

While other choices have some relevance to driving comfort or vehicle control, they do not directly address the critical safety aspect associated with airbags.