Objectives. This study assessed the accuracy of driver perceptions of the d
istance between the driver's nose and the steering wheel of the vehicle as
a factor in considering driver disconnection of an airbag contained in the
steering wheel for preventing injury to the driver in an accident.
Methods. A cross-sectional survey of 1000 drivers was done to obtain percei
ved and objective measurements of the distance between the driver's nose an
d the steering wheel of the vehicle.
Results. Of 234 drivers who believed that they sat within 12 inches of the
steering wheel, only 8 (3%) actually did so, whereas of 658 drivers who did
not believe that they sat within 12 inches of the wheel, 14 (2%) did so. S
horter drivers were more likely than taller ones to both underestimate and
overestimate their seating distance.
Conclusions. Considerable misperception of drivers' distance from the wheel
indicates that drivers should objectively measure this distance.