Motoring corner:“Driving Ergonomics”

Ergonomics is a phrase more commonly used when discussing health and safety issues in the workplace and it relates to things like ensuring that your work station and your use of it and your equipment is designed comfortably to enable you to work without the risk of suffering from repetitive strain injury and other related musculoskeletal disorders. When it comes to motoring, we need to apply the same so that, the vehicle users are as comfortable and do not suffer any disorders in as far as driving or using their motor vehicles is concerned. Driving too, can cause problems if you have not addressed related issues concerning ergonomics. It can cause you to suffer from back, neck and shoulder pain and can cause cramping and poor circulation in your backside and legs. If you don’t seat correctly and comfortably, it also has the potential to cause damage to your spine. So, how can you drive more comfortably? That said and done, good driving ergonomics dictate that, you should first of all ensure that your suspension is working properly. When we talk of the “suspension”, what do we mean? In brief, the motor vehicle suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Being subject to constant vibration can be highly damaging so additional padding on your seat can come in very useful, particularly on long journeys or if you drive regularly. It is highly recommended that you adjust your seat and steering wheel so that both feel comfortable for you. Your feet should be able to operate the pedals without you having to move your lower back away from resting against the seat. If you find you cannot do this, you can get a lumbar support or can even use something from home to put behind your back, such as a cushion, to give it additional support. Never drive a vehicle where the legroom is too short or too long for your comfort. Knowing that, you must always be in control over the vehicle, it is recommended that you adjust or tilt your seat every now and again. This helps to change the direction of the effects of vibration upon your body but you should do this safely and it’s also important to remember to adjust your mirrors if you alter your seat’s position. If the mirrors are not properly adjusted, this might force you to keep changing your sitting posture in order to use the mirrors. Most controls in the vehicle should be accessed with minimum ease.It is very important When buying a car, the seat is the most ergonomically important aspect relating to your ability to feel comfortable when you drive so be sure that all parts of it provide you with utmost support and comfort, adjustment controls should be operated easily. Ensure that it is suitable in relation to your legs, hips and back in particular as car seats come in all different shapes and sizes. Basically, you should be looking for seats which allow you easy access to all controls and pedals using your hands or feet, that you can see all the instruments clearly and that you have a good all round vision from where you’re sitting. If you suffer from some disabilities like weakness in the hands or legs, it best that you go in for an automatic transmission vehicle as this would require less of your legs or arms movement as well as less effort. motoringcorner@live.co.uk

Lifestyle

Motoring corner:“Driving Ergonomics”