Hands on the Wheel

In today’s fast-paced world, multitasking has become second nature. Many drivers admit to occasionally steering a car with their knees, whether to adjust the GPS, sip a coffee, send a text, eat food and I have even witnessed someone do this so they could do a dance move with both hands. It looks effortless, but it is a gamble with your life, everyone in the vehicle and everyone else on the road. During a legislative meeting in November 2025, it was stated that there were 814 fatalities on Kentucky roads in 2023, and that 20% of those were caused by distracted drivers. Dr. Aaron Workman, a member of one of the highest rated car accident medical doctor  teams in Kentucky, discusses reasons to keep both hands on the wheel for the entirety of your drive.

1. Lightning Reactions Need Real Grip
   Reaction time is significantly slower when using your knees to steer. The larger mass and muscle groups require more effort to initiate a quick movement, leading to delays. There are many things that will require lightening reactions while driving. A deer may dart out in front of you, an object in the road you did not see, a car pulls out in front of you, a sudden traffic stop or a child runs out chasing a ball, are all instances where reactions time matters. Knees cannot get this job done but arms and hands can.

2. Airbag Deployment
   Modern vehicles have airbag systems designed for specific postures to provide the most safety. Steering with a pair of knees will alter your posture, typically pushing you too far forward or backward taking you out of optimal position. In a crash, an airbag deploying over 150 miles per hour can cause severe injuries if you are not in the correct position. A bad posture can also change how effectively your seat belt is increasing your risk of injury. To put it simply, if you are not driving correctly your safety features will not work properly.

3. Small Movements Save Lives
   Your hands have a myriad of specialized tactile abilities that will give you feedback from the steering wheel, whereas your knees feel nothing. Highway grooves, a stiff crosswind, a blown or low tire will need small constant adjustments for recovery and staying in your lane. Hands are made to perform these tasks and knees are not.

4. The Law
   Driving with your knees in Kentucky is not an explicitly named offense in state law, but an officer can cite you for careless driving or potentially reckless driving, as it falls under general distracted or unsafe driving statutes. This can lead to a fine up to $100 or even jail time depending on how bad the incident is. This could lead to points against your driving record which can then lead to increased insurance costs or even license suspension if too many points add up.

Knee-steering trades seconds of convenience for years of regret. It is a selfish act and puts everyone in your vehicle, and on the road around you, at a higher risk. If you find yourself unable to drive without using your knees, then you are a distracted driver. If an activity is going to require both hands off the wheel, then it is best to pull over or let someone else do the driving. Otherwise, set your seat so elbows stay slightly bent, wrists rest at opposite sides of the wheel, and you can let your cruise control handle the long stretches if needed. If you have teens in the vehicle, be a great example of how to safely drive. Your focus, control, and reaction time are your best defenses on the road.

— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.