Thanks to an auto industry that never really cared about how comfortable women or short men are behind the wheel of a vehicle, people seem to have grown used to certain levels of discomfort in driving.
Unfortunately, says a Canadian ergonomics expert, that discomfort can be dangerous as well as irritating. Fortunately, adds Kathy Kawaja, there are now some vehicles available that directly address the issue of driver discomfort.
The importance of discomfort, Kawaja notes, is that it keeps you from paying attention to the road, and that's dangerous.
Kawaja says many drivers are setting themselves up for muscle strain and dangerous fatigue behind the wheel before they even start the engine, but "proper use of vehicle features and a few simple ergonomic principles can keep drivers comfortable -- and safe -- on the roads."
Kawaja says the strain and fatigue caused by gridlocked roads and long highway commutes often hits tall and short drivers the hardest, because they just can't get comfortable. Though Kawaja is too politic to mention it, this is so primarily because cars have historically been designed by regular-sized men (engineers are rarely very tall) for people just like them.
In recent years, however, car companies with lots of women in their engineering and marketing divisions (this would be Ford and General Motors) have been offering adjustable foot pedals, which is the third key part of the safety troika, joining moveable seats and a telescoping steering wheel.
The Asian and European firms have flirted with the notion of adjustable foot pedals, but there's little internal pressure to make them available since they are still almost run entirely by men.
All cars have moveable seats and many expensive vehicles have a telescoping steering wheel, but that adjustable foot pedal thing is still rare. Finding a vehicle with all three features is rare.
But there are reasonably-priced vehicles available with an adjustable seat, wheel and foot pedals. Kawaja has one of hand for demonstration purposes -- a Chevrolet Malibu Maxx -- and she uses it to demonstrate how drivers of all sizes should prepare to go driving, and what they should do during and after the drive as well.
"For many Canadian drivers," Kawaja says, "preparing for the road ahead means hitting the Tim Horton's drive-thru. But if you want to be comfortable and safe on the road, you need to be as particular about your set-up behind the wheel as you are about what goes into your double-double."
Before you start the engine (to reduce fuel use and emissions into the environment), says Kawaja, "ensure you can comfortably see above the vehicle's hood without straining your neck using the seat's vertical adjuster."
Then you should move your seat forward or back so that your elbows are slightly bent when your hands are on the wheel. As for how far you should be away from the steering wheel, Kawaja quotes Transport Canada, which recommends 25 cm, or the length of regular piece of paper, between your chest and the steering wheel, and that's without winter coats.
"When placing your right foot on the brake pedal," says Kawaja, "your knee should be slightly bent, with the pedal in easy reach. Keep the same position for your left leg if you're driving a manual transmission vehicle."
In a vehicle with an automatic transmission, says Kawaja, your left foot should be completely flat on the floor, and while you really shouldn't be too close to the steering wheel, it's probably more important that you "should never have to reach for the brake pedal." This of course is the key safety fault in many cars, forcing women too near to the steering wheel so they can reach the pedals.
Whatever your relationship to the steering wheel and foot pedals, Kawaja strongly advises you to have your seatbelt "properly fastened with the lap-belt snuggly across your hips, and shoulder strap over your shoulder and across your chest."
If you don't like the way the driver's position fits you, says Kawaja, it might make sense to take more care when you buy your next vehicle.
Janice Dickey of General Motors of Canada would be happy if you considered the Malibu Maxx, as it "proves that a car built on an assembly line can still feel like a car that was built just for you, the way a custom-built suit feels."
Whatever vehicle you're in, Kawaja recommends that you periodically adjust your position to avoid muscle strain, cramping and boredom once the vehicle is in motion. "Bend your left leg and extend it a few times every 15 minutes," she says.
On long drives and when you're safely away from any traffic ahead of you, says Kawaja, "use the cruise control so you can stretch both legs from a bent to straight position."
Whenever it's safe, she adds, reposition your hands from the standard "10 and 2" position to "9 and 3" and even "8 and 4".
Other tips from Kawaja to keep you comfortable and safe while driving include:
photo:GM of Canada
Unfortunately, says a Canadian ergonomics expert, that discomfort can be dangerous as well as irritating. Fortunately, adds Kathy Kawaja, there are now some vehicles available that directly address the issue of driver discomfort.
The importance of discomfort, Kawaja notes, is that it keeps you from paying attention to the road, and that's dangerous.
Kawaja says many drivers are setting themselves up for muscle strain and dangerous fatigue behind the wheel before they even start the engine, but "proper use of vehicle features and a few simple ergonomic principles can keep drivers comfortable -- and safe -- on the roads."
Kawaja says the strain and fatigue caused by gridlocked roads and long highway commutes often hits tall and short drivers the hardest, because they just can't get comfortable. Though Kawaja is too politic to mention it, this is so primarily because cars have historically been designed by regular-sized men (engineers are rarely very tall) for people just like them.
In recent years, however, car companies with lots of women in their engineering and marketing divisions (this would be Ford and General Motors) have been offering adjustable foot pedals, which is the third key part of the safety troika, joining moveable seats and a telescoping steering wheel.
The Asian and European firms have flirted with the notion of adjustable foot pedals, but there's little internal pressure to make them available since they are still almost run entirely by men.
All cars have moveable seats and many expensive vehicles have a telescoping steering wheel, but that adjustable foot pedal thing is still rare. Finding a vehicle with all three features is rare.
But there are reasonably-priced vehicles available with an adjustable seat, wheel and foot pedals. Kawaja has one of hand for demonstration purposes -- a Chevrolet Malibu Maxx -- and she uses it to demonstrate how drivers of all sizes should prepare to go driving, and what they should do during and after the drive as well.
"For many Canadian drivers," Kawaja says, "preparing for the road ahead means hitting the Tim Horton's drive-thru. But if you want to be comfortable and safe on the road, you need to be as particular about your set-up behind the wheel as you are about what goes into your double-double."
Before you start the engine (to reduce fuel use and emissions into the environment), says Kawaja, "ensure you can comfortably see above the vehicle's hood without straining your neck using the seat's vertical adjuster."
Then you should move your seat forward or back so that your elbows are slightly bent when your hands are on the wheel. As for how far you should be away from the steering wheel, Kawaja quotes Transport Canada, which recommends 25 cm, or the length of regular piece of paper, between your chest and the steering wheel, and that's without winter coats.
"When placing your right foot on the brake pedal," says Kawaja, "your knee should be slightly bent, with the pedal in easy reach. Keep the same position for your left leg if you're driving a manual transmission vehicle."
In a vehicle with an automatic transmission, says Kawaja, your left foot should be completely flat on the floor, and while you really shouldn't be too close to the steering wheel, it's probably more important that you "should never have to reach for the brake pedal." This of course is the key safety fault in many cars, forcing women too near to the steering wheel so they can reach the pedals.
Whatever your relationship to the steering wheel and foot pedals, Kawaja strongly advises you to have your seatbelt "properly fastened with the lap-belt snuggly across your hips, and shoulder strap over your shoulder and across your chest."
If you don't like the way the driver's position fits you, says Kawaja, it might make sense to take more care when you buy your next vehicle.
Janice Dickey of General Motors of Canada would be happy if you considered the Malibu Maxx, as it "proves that a car built on an assembly line can still feel like a car that was built just for you, the way a custom-built suit feels."
Whatever vehicle you're in, Kawaja recommends that you periodically adjust your position to avoid muscle strain, cramping and boredom once the vehicle is in motion. "Bend your left leg and extend it a few times every 15 minutes," she says.
On long drives and when you're safely away from any traffic ahead of you, says Kawaja, "use the cruise control so you can stretch both legs from a bent to straight position."
Whenever it's safe, she adds, reposition your hands from the standard "10 and 2" position to "9 and 3" and even "8 and 4".
Other tips from Kawaja to keep you comfortable and safe while driving include:
- if your vehicle has steering wheel controls, use them often to avoid reaching and engaging muscles unnecessarily
- if your vehicle's driver's seat comes with a lumbar support (like the Malibu Maxx, of course), slightly disengage the lumbar support for approximately 10 to 15 minutes at a time every hour since this allows your back to relax and refresh during the drive
- do simple exercises while driving that will give your muscles the much-needed relaxation without putting you at risk
- keep your eyes on the road and tuck your chin to your chest for just a few seconds, then tilt your head backwards and extend your chin up
- gently bend your ear to your shoulder, holding for just a few seconds on each side
- lift your shoulders to your ears, hold, and end in a relaxed position, and
- on long drives take rest stops to stretch, loosen your muscles and give your mind a break.
photo:GM of Canada