Which hand position is recommended when a vehicle has an airbag in the steering wheel?

• A. 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock
• B. 8 o'clock and 4 o'clock
• C. 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock
• D. 2 o'clock and 10 o'clock

Answer: (B)

When an airbag is in the steering wheel, keep your hands lower on the wheel to minimize injury if the airbag deploys. The recommended position is around 8 o’clock and 4 o’clock. This placement keeps your hands out of the immediate path of the deploying airbag while still giving you good control of the steering.

Higher hand positions (like near 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock or straight across at 3 and 9) place your hands closer to the airbag’s expansion area, increasing the chance of injury to the arms or wrists and face when the bag deploys. A position like 2 o’clock and 10 o’clock is also higher and less safe for airbag deployment and control.