Holy crap, was that Saul Goodman..??

I hate how my hands keep waking me up when they fall down from the 10 and 2 position.

Did I just willingly watch a driver's ed video for my own education? My 16 year-old self would smack me right about now!

I would love to see a study where people accustomed to each driving position have to respond to SURPRISE obstacles. Maybe 8 and 4 doesn't have as many bloody noses when the airbag deploys, but I'd wager 10-2 doesn't have as many airbag deployments.

Is there something that makes you think 10 & 2 is superior as far as control? I can't really wager a guess here, so I'm honestly looking for an explanation.

How the hell are you supposed to react quickly enough with your hands that low? Cant really turn the wheel all the way from that position.

I agree that 10 and 2 is stupid, but 9 and 4 or 10 and 4 has always been good, so Ill stick to those.

Can't turn it as far? Really? You want to swerve to the left. Simply lift your right hand and follow the wheel round. I can very easily turn the wheel through about 270 degrees without having to let go of it with my right hand like this. From the 10 and 2 position this rotation of the wheel without letting go is very much reduced.

Before you jump down my throat I'm not saying you can't react appropriately from the 10 and 2 position, I'm just pointing out that it's very posible to react properly from the lower position as well. I was personally taught the 10 and 2 positions, and I actually drive in the 3 and 9 position most of the time. The position that gives you most control is 3 and 9, which is why you see racing drivers using this position.

Thats the whole point. If you have to move your hands that soon, reaction time is lowered.
You simply cant move your hands enough. With the hands at the sides you can move the wheel far over 90° before having to move one hand. Not possible with them that low. Also the way to the next optimal position, when turning, takes longer because the movement distance is far longer.

If today was April 1st, I would think this video is actually a joke.

I think the lowered position is intended for long, highway drives to avoid fatigue. I can't imagine it being as good, reaction wise, as 10 and 2, or 8 and 4... and certainly not as Fast and Furious/douche-baggy as 12 and stick

I'm not an ergonomics or safety expert, so this is just my opinion.

In my experience, 9:30-2:30 (just above center) has given me the best ability to quickly turn the wheel as far as I need.

My theory is that having your hands above center means that every turn is a pull on an already-extended arm. This is fast and instinctive. If your hands are low on the wheel, you have to use awkward lateral pushing force to turn.

I recall seeing the cover of a Popular Mechanics (or Popular Science) magazine from over 100 years ago and it mentioned how the best way to hold a steering wheel with with both hands at 6 o'clock with wrists facing up.

Oh yeah, there's whole books devoted to push vs pull technique and it's widely accepted in the racing world that pull is far more effective, it also doesn't compress the nerves in your shoulder, giving better feedback and control. Pushing is more laborious, slower and has less control. And there's some debate of pulling and insticts but no real conclusion.

I actually watched this.

I've tried the lower position but find that it requires constant muscle flexing with your fingers just to keep your arms from falling downward. Whereas the 10-2 position has your hands resting on top of the wheel requiring less muscle to maintain.

My personal experience,

Long drives (1,000km+), 6 and 6 in clear visibility (daylight, nothing along roadside) situations, 5 and 8 for all other situations, massive difference (reduction) in fatigue.

Short / suburban / city / off-road, 3 and 8 for responsiveness.

Tried many styles, what works for you may not work for others and what works for 1 car may not work for another. Take into account comfort, arm length, strength requirements (steering wheel sensitivity / responsiveness)

Left hand on 9:00, elbow rested on door armrest.

Right arm constantly adjusting all the rest of the crap in my truck.

Let's be real.

right hand on 6:00

I practice MMA steering control, that way I can respond to any situation from any holding position, or be able to switch to a new holding position at will. I have never so much as touched another vehicle, even a fender bender. And I drive faster than a motherfucker when daddy gets home. Credit goes to the "correct" behavior, but I advocate being familiar with all behavior.

It's stupid to argue.

1) release the wheel
2) use the force

This has to be an old video. I was taught 9 and 3 and that was 15 years ago.

Same here only it was 18 years ago.

There was a kid in my school, a few years older than I, who had a pretty bad accident but was fortunate to only have a broken rib. Why? Because his hand was in front of the wheel went the airbag deployed and he punched himself in the chest at a couple hundred miles an hour.

I'd love to feel an airbag go off in my face.

Boof... Boof!