A motoring expert has warned that drivers could be risking their safety by not adjusting their car seat correctly – and has shared some top tips to help you find the perfect position
A lot of drivers often hurry to hit the road without taking the time to adjust their seat – despite it making a significant difference, experts have claimed.
In order to maintain comfort and safety while driving, vehicle financing company LeaseCar.uk has urged drivers to always ensure their seat is properly adjusted before setting off. Tim Alcock, LeaseCar.uk’s car specialist, wants all drivers regularly check their car seat adjustment.
He said: “Many of us are probably guilty of not checking that our seat, wheel and head restraint have been adjusted to be in the correct position each time we get in the car. Sitting incorrectly will not only compromise your safety in the event of a collision, but can also cause discomfort when driving for long periods of time, and potentially lead to long-term back and neck problems.”
The Highway Code stipulates that drivers should refrain from operating a vehicle if the seat is not adjusted correctly for their body size, reports the Express. Drivers need to address not just the forward or backward positioning of the seat, but also its height and the inclination of the backrest.
Modern cars often feature electrically adjustable seats that can save the adjustments of numerous drivers with just the press of a button. To discover the most comfortable seating position, Tim recommends that drivers must make sure that their legs don’t feel strained while reaching the pedals.
He said: “The seat should be as high as possible to see the road clearly ahead, but drivers should also check that they can push the clutch pedal down to the floor without stretching their body. The seating position should be adjusted for all passengers in the vehicle too, and if anyone else drives your car, remember to re-adjust your seat and wheel position.”
However, Tim also highlighted that drivers must also make sure that their headrest and steering wheel are also adjusted correctly. He added: “Check that your head restraint is touching the back of your head, and is as high as the top of your head too. Steering wheel positioning should also be adjusted to ensure the airbag will be as effective as possible in the event of a collision – the seat should be as far back from the wheel as possible.”
