You know those aches you get after a long day at the laptop with less than ideal posture? A minor inconvenience. In a car, not sitting the right way can not only put a crick in your neck but could mean the difference between life and death.
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Set yourself up right for the drive with the Fluxsters tips below.

1. Hold the Wheel and Drive - Brandon Boyd, Incubus

It is not ok to drive like this. You are driving a car, not Jack Sparrow steering the Black Pearl.

This is the most important item on the list. Too close to the wheel and not only do you restrict your range of motion, but you could get seriously injured if the airbag deploys. Too far away and you will be stretching to turn the wheel, not to mention straight arms can snap in an impact. Sit back against the seat and place one arm to rest at the top of the wheel. The rim of the wheel should touch the bottom of your palm, just before it meets the wrist. Now when you hold your steering wheel at 9 and 3, there should be a comfortable bend at your elbow.

2. Mirror,Mirror on the Car

In life, never look back. Unless you’re driving, then look back from time to time.

You should be able to see just a sliver of your car’s body in the side mirrors as a reference point — on the road and when you park too. Too much, and you won’t have visibility of other cars coming up on your flanks. Modern cars have side mirrors which have pretty much eliminated the blind spot, so there is no need to ever turn your head to check what’s behind you. As for the rearview mirror, dead straight out the rear windscreen is what you need to be looking at.

3. Fat Joe says Lean Back, But Not Too Much

Too much recline, no seatbelt and the strangest grip on the wheel. What are you doing with your life?

For the love of Flux, don’t recline your seat like you’re in a beach chair on the sands of Bali. You should be almost upright, with a slight angle that allows you to rest your weight comfortably on the backrest while maintaining the right distance to the wheel. Try not to be too upright, you may be tensing the wrong parts of your body to stay in the same place, especially when your weight shifts going around a corner. Discomfort is one thing, but any and all stabilisation effort should be focused on controlling the steering wheel.

4. Bonus: Cinderella Lost Her Shoe, But You Shouldn't

This isn’t about sitting right, but when you consider that foot slippage could lead you to step on the “go” pedal instead of the “stop” pedal, this is pretty important. Most of all, don’t wear slippers or sandals — you could get them caught behind a pedal. If you’re in heels or anything uncomfortable all day, keep a pair of comfy shoes just for driving that you can slip on for the trip home.

Prince Charming would not approve of such shenanigans.

If you’re going to spend long hours behind the wheel, whether in the work commute or on a road trip, keep yourself and your occupants safe by following these guidelines. Have we missed anything out? Let us know!