Sometimes it annoys me when people talk about how the drivers of certain makes of car behave differently to others on the road. One of the most-common stereotypes that we hear is of BMW drivers, and their failure to indicate, observe their surroundings around them or the rules of the roads that they drive on!
In my experience, the problem isn’t down to the make and model of car that people drive, but the drivers themselves. Most people don’t act like maniacs when they aren’t behind the wheel of their cars, and aside from their bad driving techniques they are, for the most part, nice people!
If some people have pointed out to you, in a polite way or otherwise, that your driving skills leave a lot to be desired, did you know that you could make some simple in-car adjustments to improve your driving?
That might sound weird, but a lot of people don’t realise why certain things that they do can negatively impact their driving! In today’s blog post, I will walk you through the different things that you can do to sort your driving out – for the better!
Seat Height
I am still shocked by the number of people that don’t correctly adjust the height of their seats before they drive!
Not only can an incorrect driver’s seat height be potentially dangerous, but it could also cause severe medical problems if those drivers were involved in a collision with another vehicle.
You need to adjust the height of your seat so that you have a clear view of the world around you. And it goes without saying that you need to see over your steering wheel! If you weren’t blessed in the height department, raise the height of your seat or sit on a pillow to improve road visibility.
Seat Posture
Posture is everything when you are sitting down. If you want to make sure that you don’t look a hunchback in your senior years, it is important you correct your seating posture in the car.
You need to be seated in a comfortable, upright position behind the wheel, and the headrest of your car needs to be adjusted so that the top of it is slightly proud of your ears.
Steering Column
One piece of advice that Morgan from car dealership Jay New Nelson is keen to point out is that most modern cars have adjustable steering columns. In my own car, for example, the steering wheel can be pulled out as well as adjusted height-wise!
Not many people are aware of the rake and tilt functions of their car’s steering wheel, yet if it is correctly adjusted it could positively impact their driving.
Pedal Control
Finally, you should make sure that you sit a comfortable distance away from the pedals. You should always drive with your heels on the floor, not stretched out. And it goes without saying that you need to wear appropriate footwear when driving.
That means if you walk around in stilettos all day, wear a pair of trainers before driving your car!
