In the Driver’s Seat: Ergonomic Set-up

Most ergonomic seating guides focus on seating at the office desk or workstation. The other times where we spend a quite a bit of sitting down at is in the driver’s seat of our vehicles. Perhaps not at much as at our desk but significant enough to contribute strain to our backs. So are we seated right? Below are some tips:

Seat Height

The seat should be high enough

• so that you can comfortably see the instruments and the road,
• so that your hips are in line with your knees or slights higher.

If your seat cannot be raised or raised high enough, use a cushion.

Seat Forward/Backward Position

The seat should be positioned forward or backward

• so that you can comfortably reach and depress all the pedals without your back leaving the seat.

Note that bringing the seat forward will raise your knee relatively to your hips, so check on the seat height.

Seat Recline

• Recline the back of the seat to approximately 100-110°.

Steering Wheel

• Adjust the steering wheel upwards and towards you to minimise the reach. Having to hold you arms out straight to reach the steering wheel tires the neck and shoulder muscles over time.

Headrest

• Is tilted and raise to fully support your head

Others

• Change your grip on the steering wheel occasionally.
• If available, adjust your lumbar support every couple of hour if on a long drive
• Stop regularly and get out of the car to stretch out.