Watch your back!

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New figures released today reveal that the average motorist spends over six hours per week driving a car and their health may be suffering as 56 per cent admit to slouching in the driving seat or sitting too close to the steering wheel.

The research, conducted by esure car insurance, found that over half of motorists questioned (51 per cent) said they sometimes feel stiff or suffer from backache after driving, with almost two thirds (62 per cent) having experienced pain or tension in their back, neck or shoulders.

In an average year, a motorist will spend nearly a quarter (24 per cent) of their driving time on long stretches of road. Yet only 22 per cent of those polled adjust their car seat before driving, including seatbelt height, head restraint and mirrors to ensure comfort, good posture, full control of the car plus maximum vision.

Many motorists (41 per cent) share a car with someone of the opposite sex - but 12 per cent admit that they don’t know how to adjust the position of their seat so that it is in the optimum position for driving, motoring safety and being ergonomically sound.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure car insurance, said: "As a nation we are heavily reliant on our cars - whether for a simple trip to the shops, the daily commute to work, or a longer drive on holiday.

It is well-documented that slouching over your desk at work can result in neck and back ache, and the same applies to motorists in the driving seat. We would advise all motorists to ensure that their seat and head-rest are adjusted to provide the optimum driving position for both comfort and safety."

Tim Hutchful, a Chiropractor from the British Chiropractic Association, said: "Driving, particularly with an incorrectly-positioned car seat, is a major cause of back pain.

We are all different shapes and sizes, so ideally we should try and adjust our car seats, head rests and steering wheels to meet our individual requirements. This will not only improve our comfort in the car but also our safety."

Regional differences

According to the poll motorists in the North East spend the most hours per week behind the wheel with an average of 7 hours and ten minutes per driver, while those in London spend the least time - just over 5 hours (5 hours and 6 minutes).

Subsequently, motorists in the North East suffer more stiffness or backache - 58 per cent experience this after driving whereas 12 per cent less in London (46 per cent) do so.

Welsh motorists are least knowledgeable when it comes to car seat adjustment - 18 per cent admit that they don’t know how to adjust their seat so it is in the optimum position for comfort and safety. However, just eight per cent of those in the South East say they don’t know how to do so.

Gender divide

Male motorists experience back, neck and shoulder pain more regularly than female drivers, with over two thirds (67 per cent) suffering this compared to 56 per cent of women.

This may be because men spend an average of 7 hours 20 mins per week behind the wheel, whereas female motorists spend on average 2 hours less per week driving (5 hours 20 mins).

esure and the British Chiropractic Association have put together some top tips to help reduce back pain for motorists:

  1. If possible, sit so that your back and legs form an angle of between 90-110 degrees.
  2. Ideally your back and thighs should be in contact with as much of the seat as possible.
  3. You should be able to press the brake pedal without moving your hip forward in the seat, but you shouldn't have your knee too bent either (your leg should feel relaxed, both in the resting position and in the position when you press the brake pedal).
  4. Your arms should reach the steering wheel with a slight bend, so you are not over reaching, but also so the steering wheel is not too close to your chest (otherwise this will limit the movement of your arms and you may be too close to the air bag).
  5. The head restraint should be adjusted so that it is level with the back of the head (if it is too low it may aggravate a whiplash injury).
  6. Adjust the rear view mirror and the side mirrors so that you only have to move your eyes to check the mirrors and not use excessive neck and head movement.
  7. Adjust the seatbelt, if possible, so it doesn't pass over your throat (it should pass over your shoulder and chest).
  8. Try not to drive in high heels as this can over extend your ankle, cause tension in your calf and take support from your thigh.
  9. Wear loose clothing so you can get in and out of the vehicle easily.
  10. Take regular breaks.

-ends-

esure's press contacts:

For further information please contact the esure press office at Mischief PR on 020 7100 9999 or email esure@mischiefpr.com

An ISDN line is available for radio interviews

Notes to Editors:

  1. esure used the independent online research company FlyResearch who surveyed 1,000 of the UK’s motorists, from across the country aged 18 and over, on 6th - 8th May 2009. 19 million is an estimated figure equal to 56 per cent of total UK motorists based on DfT Transport Statistics - 33,956,832 motor vehicles currently licensed 2007. 56 per cent = 27 per cent of motorists questioned slouch behind the wheel plus 29 per cent that sit too close to the steering wheel.

About esure:

esure was launched in 2001. The company offers car, home, pet and travel insurance over the internet and by phone. esure also offers car insurance cover through the brands Halifax, Sainsbury's, Sheilas' Wheels and more recently home insurance through the Sheilas' Wheels brand.

Sponsorship:

esure has secured two of the UK's most iconic sponsorships: the ITV National and Channel 4 Weather bulletins.