It’s an exciting time to be a driver. Technological advancements have made for a smoother, easier ride. But until self-driving cars become the norm, every driver needs to know effective, safe steering techniques for their vehicle (and yes, there are different ways to do so.)

The make and model of your car might affect the size of the steering wheel, how much input is needed from you (the driver), and how much effort it takes to turn the wheel. But no matter how many fancy settings or buttons are on your wheel, your hands should always be placed in the same position.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says both hands should be placed outside of the steering wheel on opposite sides, your grip should be firm, yet gentle, you should use your fingers instead of the palms of your hands and keep your thumbs up along the face of the wheel, and never turn the wheel while gripping from the inside of the rim.

When it comes to actually turning your vehicle, forget everything you learned in racecar arcade games. There are only three ways to operate the wheel for safe steering.

Read the full article here, featured as part of our Drive Safe Partnership with CBS 21.

*Portions of this article were originally published by CBS 21 in partnership with Donegal Insurance Group and our Drive Safe Partnership.