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The Cockpit Drill - The Checks You Should Make Before Driving
Before starting your journey, in fact before starting the engine you should make a series of checks that will enhance both safety and comfort. The following checks are known as the cockpit drill.
Make sure that the boot and all the doors are closed properly.
Adjust your seat and steering wheel so that you are in the correct driving position. |
| Adjust your head restraint so that it is the correct position. Remember the head restraint is there to prevent whiplash injuries so it is important it is positioned correctly. The base of the restraint should be level with the base of your skull where it meets the top of the neck, and the restraint should be about an inch away from the back of your head whilst driving.
Check your left, centre and right mirrors are correctly aligned, so that you can quickly see what's happening behind you with a glance, without having to move your head unnecessarily. |
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Make sure the handbrake is engaged and that the gear stick is in neutral or park or neutral if driving an automatic. If the car is in gear when you start the engine the car will lunge forward or backwards if in reverse.
Put your seatbelt on. Remember the laws states that whilst driving a car you must wear your seatbelt at all times, except when performing a reversing manoeuvre or if you have a medical exemption certificate. For comfort and safety you should adjust the height of the seatbelt so that the belt gives a firm pressure over the top of your right shoulder, with no gap between the belt and the front of your shoulder. |
| It is also vital that you make sure your sitting position is as comfortable as possible. Finding the right driving position is essential. You need to feel comfortable whilst being able to reach all the controls without having to stretch. Driving whilst sitting in a poor position can put your back under strain and cause injury. It is also important not to sit too close to the steering wheel, as this can be dangerous in a collision. |
| To find a comfortable driving position:
Raise the seat as high as you can without your head touching the roof.
Move the seat forwards until you can engage the clutch pedal and accelerator fully. |
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| Recline the seat back to the point where your shoulders and upper back are resting comfortably on the seat and your arms are slightly bent when you hold the steering wheel. Adjust the height and reach of the steering wheel so that your hands whilst holding the steering wheel rest slightly lower than your shoulders. Make sure the wheel or your hands obstruct your view of the instrument panel.
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