No, steering wheel knobs are not illegal in the United States. Like, pretty much in every state, you’re allowed to use them as long as they are perfectly installed. While for some of you out there, it might sound like an odd thing to do, it actually serves a purpose in many different scenarios, and that is the very reason why these knobs aren’t actually banned in the country. So to get to know about it a little better, just keep on reading.
What Are Steering Wheel Knobs?
Before anything else, let’s clear out the basics, so steering wheel knobs are the little additions that are mounted on the steering wheel, which helps the drivers to rotate it rapidly with only one hand. And just so you know, you might know them by other names like spinner knobs, Brodie knobs, or suicide knobs. And yup, the devices, in fact, were very much popular on the vintage trucks and agricultural vehicles, notably during the time when power steering had not been introduced, you know?
At present, steering wheel knobs are employed in a variety of ways. Like, to make a turn, truck and commercial drivers use them for a quick and sharp one, farmers on the other hand, utilize them for their tractors and other equipment, while disabled drivers usually have to use them to be able to steer safely with just one hand.
How Steering Wheel Knobs Work
If we go into the functionality part, see, a steering wheel knob is essentially a handle that is fixed to the wheel and can be rotated. When the wheel is turned, the knob rotates independently, thus enabling the user to steer more quickly, smoothly, and with less effort. All in all, it is, therefore, most advantageous for large vehicles, making tight turns, and performing slow-speed maneuvers such as parking.
And sure enough, additionally, they are recognized as beneficial aid devices for drivers who suffer from a lack of strength or limited mobility in their arms or hands. Not a single doubt in the fact that if they are installed in a correct manner, they can definitely facilitate steering and make it less exhausting.
What Federal Law Says
Officially, in the United States, steering wheel knobs are allowed at the federal level. Yup! So far, it is true that they are not prohibited by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Typically, the use of a knob is permitted if it is mounted firmly and the operation of the steering is not hindered in any way. The Americans with Disabilities Act, which is the law for drivers with disabilities, supports the use of this kind of adaptive device, and to some extent, it may be that steering knobs are the ones that are explicitly suggested or mandated. Plain and simple!
OSHA Rules for Work Vehicles
Well, going into a bit other direction here, see, in the case of industrial or work vehicles, such as forklifts and heavy machinery, the regulations are quite detailed. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration permits the use of steering wheel knobs only when they are specially made for the equipment and installed properly.
It is warned against using a bad-quality or a loosely attached knob because it may result in a situation where the control is lost. No doubt, for that very reason, in the work environment, it is best to use manufacturer-approved knobs only.
State Laws and Local Rules
Although there is no prohibition at the federal level, the states can have their own regulations. In general, states permit the use of a steering wheel knob in a private car, provided that it is securely mounted and does not hinder the steering or the line of sight in any way.
