If there is an airbag in your vehicle's steering wheel, where is it best to keep your hands?

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

Answer: (D)

With an airbag in the steering wheel, your hands should rest on opposite sides of the wheel, roughly level with the wheel’s horizontal axis. This keeps your hands out of the airbag’s path while still giving you strong control of the steering. When the bag inflates, it expands outward from the center; if your hands are high or near the center, they can be pushed into your face or wrists, and your arms can be forced into awkward positions. By placing your hands at the sides, you allow the bag to deploy safely and you maintain quick, effective steering ability. Other hand placements bring your arms closer to the deploying airbag or reduce leverage, making injuries more likely or hindering your reaction time.