The goal of the study presented in this scientific poster was to assess the degree of misperception regarding the distance that drivers sit from the steering wheel. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 1,000 drivers at gasoline stations in the Boston metropolitan area in the United States. Participation in the study entailed completion of a written survey and permission for trained interviewers to measure the distance between the center of the steering wheel and the bridge of the driver's nose. Perceived and measured distances were compared, documenting the number of drivers reportedly or actually sitting with the bridge of their nose within 12 inches of the steering wheel. The correlation between perceived and measured distances was very low, with drivers under- and overestimating their proximity. Although 234 of the drivers (mostly women) perceived that they sat within 12 inches of the steering wheel, only 22 drivers (19 women and 3 men) actually did. Of these 22 drivers, only 8 had correctly perceived that they sat within 12 inches. Drivers who think they sit too close to the wheel may be inappropriately concerned about their safety and disconnect their airbag systems. In contrast, drivers who actually sit too close may not be concerned enough. Drivers should be encouraged to objectively measure their distance to the airbag in a normal driving situation.
Abstract