Final answer:
To minimize crash injuries, hold the steering wheel at the 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock positions.
Step-by-step explanation:
To reduce injuries in a crash, it is recommended to hold the steering wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, or slightly lower at 8 and 4 o'clock. This advice is based on the presence of airbags in modern cars and also helps to ensure better control of the vehicle.
When it comes to safety features, cars are designed with crumple zones that absorb the energy during a collision. This help to protect the passengers by increasing the time of impact, which, in turn, reduces the force exerted on the occupants.
The dashboard padding and airbags further extend the time over which the stop force is applied, thereby lessening the force understood through the impulse-momentum relationship.