Getting Comfortable.
To enable you to adequately control your vehicle, before you start to drive you
must adjust your drivers seat, the interior and exterior mirrors and correctly fit
your safety belt.
Seat Position
Move the seat backwards or forwards to enable your right foot easy pivotal movement
from the accelerator to brake, in a manual vehicle, you must also be able to pivot
the left foot from the foot rest to the clutch pedal. The clutch pedal must also
be able to be depressed to the floor without stretching or discomfort, the left
knee shouldn't completely straighten.
For increased lateral support, the legs should be slightly apart and, when not operating
the clutch, the left leg should be used to brace the body by positioning the left
foot on the foot rest.
To avoid poor posture and premature fatigue the back of the seat should be adjusted
so that while your shoulders are in contact with the seat-back, your right arm should
be able to be bent slightly at the elbow when the right hand is at the twelve o'clock
position on the steering wheel.
Mirrors
The interior mirror should be adjusted to centre in the rear window and avoid any
bias, the wing mirrors should be set so that you can just see the rear door handle
on the side of your vehicle.
Seat Belts
All occupants are legally required to wear seat belts, except where special exemption
has been obtained. Statistics show that fatalities and serious injuries have been
reduced by as much as 80% by the use of seat belts. Inertia-type seat belts are
now fitted to all new cars. They should lock instantly if the body is thrown forward.
The wearer of an inertia-type belt should check that the lap part is not too loose
or the webbing twisted.
Secure Objects
Parcels, packages and especially, hard objects and breakables should also be firmly
secured. Where possible, hardware should be carried in the luggage boot.
Head Restraints
Head restraints, which should not be regarded as head rests are fitted to modern
cars, properly adjusted they provide valuable protection against whiplash. If adjustable
for height, they must be set to protect your head, the gap between the back of your
head and the restraint should not exceed fifty millimetres.
Driver Attire
Where practical dress specifically for driving, choose comfortable clothes,
avoided bulky or heavy clothes, those with loose sleeves which could catch on controls
and garment that restricts head, arm or leg movement, or anything that may cause
discomfort or fatigue. Driving gloves may be desirable in certain cases, gloves
with fine leather palms perforated for ventilation are desirable.
Footwear
Your footwear is important, shoes should be comfortable and fit compactly,
soles should not be so thick as to deprive the driver of feel for the pedals, nor
should the welts be wide or projecting, as the driver's foot could be caught under
the brake pedal during a change from acceleration to braking. Avoid thongs, sandals,
high-heeled shoes, clogs and wet sandshoes. Consider carrying a separate pair of
suitable shoes in the car to wear while driving.