Why “8 and 4” replaced “10 and 2” on the steering wheel

Because of airbags and modern steering systems, placing your hands at 8 and 4 (and often 9 and 3) keeps your arms out of the airbag’s deployment path and gives better, steadier control; the old 10 and 2 position can cause arm, wrist, and facial injuries and reduces precision in many modern vehicles.

How “10 and 2” became outdated

For decades, drivers were taught to hold the wheel at 10 and 2 because older cars had large, heavy steering wheels without power assistance. That higher, wider grip provided leverage to muscle the wheel through turns. As power steering became nearly universal and airbags arrived in mass-market cars in the 1990s, the risk calculus changed. Today’s vehicles have quicker steering ratios, smaller wheels, and driver airbags that explode from the hub in milliseconds—conditions that make lower hand positions safer and more effective.

The safety rationale behind 8 and 4 (and 9 and 3)

Modern frontal airbags deploy extremely fast—roughly within 20–30 milliseconds and with tremendous force—expanding directly from the center of the wheel. Where your hands and arms sit matters when that happens.

• Airbag clearance: 10 and 2 places your hands and forearms in the airbag’s path; 8 and 4 or 9 and 3 keeps them clear, reducing the risk of broken wrists, burns, or your own arms striking your face.
• Reduced injury risk: Lower positions lessen the chance of the airbag slamming your forearms into your head or chest during deployment.
• Thumb safety: A lower, outside grip encourages keeping thumbs along the rim, not hooked inside spokes, avoiding thumb sprains or fractures when the wheel kicks back.
• Compatibility with modern wheels: Many wheels are designed with grips and controls aligned for 9 and 3 or slightly lower positions.

Taken together, these factors make lower hand positions materially safer in airbag-equipped vehicles than the once-standard 10 and 2.

Control and ergonomics in today’s cars

Beyond crash safety, 8 and 4 or 9 and 3 improves day-to-day control and reduces fatigue, especially given modern steering and stability systems.

• Better steering precision: Symmetrical, shoulder-width placement supports small, accurate inputs, which driver-assist features and quick-ratio racks reward.
• More range without shuffle: From 9 and 3, most cars allow substantial steering angle before you need to reposition, keeping both hands engaged through evasive maneuvers.
• Less strain: Lower positions align with relaxed shoulders and elbows, cutting fatigue on long drives.
• Access to controls: Many vehicles place paddle shifters and driver-assist buttons for a 9-and-3 grip; 8 and 4 can also work while keeping arms low.

These ergonomic benefits translate to steadier lane-keeping, smoother cornering, and fewer overcorrections—especially at highway speeds.

Which should you use: 8 and 4 or 9 and 3?

Both are widely recommended for modern, airbag-equipped vehicles. The best choice can depend on your car and the situation.

• Choose 9 and 3 for maximum control, frequent turns, spirited or emergency driving, and when using paddles or wheel-mounted controls.
• Choose 8 and 4 for relaxed cruising, tall drivers seeking arm clearance, or vehicles where the wheel design encourages a slightly lower grip.
• Avoid reverting to 10 and 2 in modern cars with airbags; it offers no control advantage and adds injury risk.

In practice, many instructors teach 9 and 3 as the default, with 8 and 4 acceptable for comfort on straight, steady driving.

Common mistakes to avoid

Some habits linger from the pre-airbag era or from casual driving. These increase risk or reduce control.

• Hooking thumbs inside the wheel or spokes.
• “Palming” the wheel at 12 o’clock, especially in traffic or at speed.
• Driving one-handed except when momentarily shifting or signaling.
• Cross-armed overhand turns that tangle your arms in front of the airbag.
• Gripping too tightly, which tires you and can lead to jerky inputs.

Keeping a light, firm grip at 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 with thumbs resting along the rim helps maintain both safety and finesse.

What authorities and instructors say

Major motoring and safety organizations and many state driver handbooks have updated their guidance. Driving schools commonly teach 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 to keep hands clear of the airbag and improve control. Power steering, electronic stability control, and airbag design underpin this shift. You’ll also see wheel molds and control placement that effectively “nudge” drivers to these positions.

Special cases and exceptions

There are narrow exceptions. In classic cars without airbags and with very heavy steering, higher hand positions were once useful for leverage—but drivers should still avoid obstructing their face with their arms and keep thumbs outside the rim. In off-road and performance driving, 9 and 3 is strongly preferred to maximize control and protect hands from kickback. For heavy trucks and buses, follow the vehicle maker’s and employer’s guidance; where airbags are present, lower hand positions apply.

Practical steps to adopt the safer grip

Changing muscle memory takes a little practice. These quick steps help you switch from 10 and 2 to a safer, more modern technique.

1. Adjust your seat so your wrists touch the top of the wheel with your shoulders against the seatback; this sets a comfortable elbow bend at 9 and 3.
2. Place hands at 9 and 3 for most driving; slide slightly to 8 and 4 on straight, lightly assisted cruising if more comfortable.
3. Rest thumbs along the outside of the rim, not hooked inside.
4. Use push–pull (hand-over-hand only when necessary) to keep arms clear during larger turns.
5. Practice in an empty lot to build confidence with the new positions and turning techniques.

Within a few drives, the updated grip becomes second nature and enhances both comfort and safety.

Summary

Modern cars make 10 and 2 obsolete. Airbags deploy from the wheel center with explosive force, so lower hand positions—8 and 4 or, preferably for control, 9 and 3—keep your arms out of harm’s way while improving precision and reducing fatigue. Adopt the lower grip, keep thumbs outside the rim, and use smooth, balanced inputs to align your driving with today’s safety and handling realities.

Why is it 9 and 3 instead of 10 and 2?

Drivers use the 9 and 3 o’clock positions on the steering wheel instead of 10 and 2 because the latter position places hands in the path of an inflating airbag, which can cause serious injuries like broken arms or concussions. The 9 and 3 position keeps hands out of the airbag’s deployment zone, reducing the risk of harm during a crash while still providing excellent control of the vehicle.
 
Why 9 and 3 is safer

• Airbag deployment: Opens in new tabAirbags can deploy at speeds up to 200 miles per hour, traveling 12 to 18 inches. Holding hands at 10 and 2 puts them directly in this path, leading to potential injuries such as broken wrists, fractured arms, or even facial harm. 
• Reduced risk of injury: Opens in new tabThe 9 and 3 position keeps your hands and arms lower, outside the airbag’s direct line of fire, significantly reducing the chance of severe injury. 
• Better steering control: Opens in new tabThe 9 and 3 position allows for a more balanced grip and better control, especially when using techniques like push-pull steering, which helps avoid crossing your arms over the center of the wheel. 

Evolution of the recommendation

• The 10 and 2 position was taught when airbags were not standard equipment. 
• As airbags became standard, driving safety organizations, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), began recommending the 9 and 3 position to enhance driver safety. 

Is 8 and 4 better than 10 and 2?

For starters, 8 and 4 further reduces your risk of injury if the airbag should deploy because your hands will just be pushed into your lap instead of flying upwards or towards your face. 8 and 4 will also decrease your likelihood of swerving should an obstacle surprise you suddenly.

Why are 10 and 2 no longer recommended?

The 10 and 2 o’clock steering wheel hand position is no longer recommended due to the increased risk of serious injury from airbag deployment, which can propel hands into the face at high speeds. Modern cars are equipped with airbags that inflate with great force, making the 9 and 3 o’clock position (or even 8 and 4 o’clock) a safer alternative. This change was also influenced by the advent of power steering, which made the higher hand position less necessary for leverage.
 
Reasons the 10 and 2 position is dangerous:

• Airbag Deployment: Opens in new tabIn the event of a collision, the airbag deploys at over 200 miles per hour, which can cause hands and fingers to be propelled backward with immense force, leading to cuts, bruises, broken bones, and potentially even amputations or “degloving” injuries. 
• Outdated for Modern Cars: Opens in new tabThe 10 and 2 position was historically recommended for cars without power steering, where turning the wheel required more physical force. With modern steering technology, this added leverage is not needed. 

Safer Hand Positions:

• 9 and 3 o’clock: Opens in new tabThis is the most commonly recommended alternative, also known as the “parallel position”. 
• 8 and 4 o’clock: Opens in new tabSome safety experts and police officers suggest this position, as it places hands even further out of the path of a deploying airbag. 

Key Takeaway:
The change from 10 and 2 to 9 and 3 (or 8 and 4) is a direct result of safety improvements in vehicle technology, particularly the widespread use of airbags.

Are 10 and 2 still taught?

No, 10 and 2 is not the standard hand position taught in driver’s education anymore. Modern safety recommendations, including those from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), now advocate for the 9 and 3 o’clock position. This change is due to the presence of airbags in modern vehicles; the 9 and 3 position keeps hands out of the way of a deploying airbag, preventing potentially serious injuries to the hands and arms. 
Why the change from 10 and 2 to 9 and 3?

• Airbag technology: The primary reason is the widespread use of steering wheel airbags. In a crash, the airbag deploys with great force, and holding your hands at 10 and 2 can result in broken wrists, arms, or even more severe injuries as the hands are violently thrown back. 
• Smaller steering wheels and power steering: Early driving techniques and the “10 and 2” position were developed before power steering and for larger steering wheels, which required more force to turn. The 9 and 3 position provides better control on smaller modern wheels and with power steering. 
• Improved technique for other maneuvers: The push-pull (or hand-to-hand) steering method recommended by the NHTSA involves using the 7 and 4 positions for various situations, further emphasizing a shift away from the older 10 and 2 technique. 

In summary:

• The 10 and 2 position is outdated and no longer considered the safest option. 
• The recommended and taught position is 9 and 3. 
• This change improves safety by keeping hands clear of the airbag when it deploys.