Seated like a professional

Often, minor details can result in major improvements. As you have to sit more or less motionless for a long time while driving, this often results in symptoms of fatigue that even can be painful, with your back being particularly at risk.

To obviate long-term consequences and to arrange the daily ride in your car as agreeable as possible, it’s worth while to check the way you use to sit behind the wheel. And this isn’t a must for the multi-mile drivers and motor racers alone but can also result in additional safety and driving comfort. At first, the position of the backrest should be checked. The seat and the backrest should form an angle of about 110°: This way, you will be sitting slightly leaned back, with your derriere being completely pushed back to the backrest.

This position makes sure that your spinal column is unburdened, while you enjoy a perfect view at the instruments and the traffic, with your body being in perfect position for the safety equipment such as airbags or seat belts. The distance to the front should be selected in a way that your shoulders still make contact to the backrest when your hands hold the wheel. The leg distance is perfect when the left leg still is slightly bent while you’re pressing the clutch pedal to the metal. In this position, a comfortable control of the wheel and the pedals is guaranteed, thus helping to prevent symptoms of fatigue such as cold feet, caused by insufficient blood circulation.

Furthermore, the direct and relaxed control of wheel and pedals makes for short reaction times, thus making sure that you can act precisely and quickly in the case of a dangerous situation. In addition, the position of the headrest also should be checked. It’s perfectly adjusted when its upper edge and the highest point of your head can be connected by a horizontal line. At the same time, there shouldn’t be more than a fingerbreadth space between the headrest and your head. Correctly adjusted, the headrest will cushion the head in the case of an accident, thus countering injuries such as the whiplash. Last but not least, the position of the seatbelt should be adjusted to your body height. In no case, it should run across your throat – it must run across the shoulder area, as serious injuries may be the result otherwise.

In addition to the aforementioned measures, it’s recommendable to make a short break and get out of your car for some activity such as exercises, every second hour, if you’re making a longer trip. Some short exercises for your spinal column are perfect to get fit for the next stage of your travel.

Kind regards and have a good trip

Isolde Holderied