How do handicapped people drive

Safety Because you may be travelling by yourself, make sure you will be able to get out in an emergency. These include battery backups and manual over-rides. For added safety, it's often a good idea to fit an automatic fire extinguishing system. Other drivers You will need to let others drive the vehicle from time to time. In many drive-from-wheelchair WAVs, the front passenger seat can be moved over to the driver's side, and there is a docking system on both sides so you can travel as a passenger.

Assessment and training If you're going to use adapted controls, you may need a professional driving assessment and training. You may need to have dual controls fitted to use when you're training. Internal-transfer WAVs WAV user transferring inside to a swivel seat Some wheelchair users prefer to transfer to a driving seat because they find it more comfortable or easier to drive. Controls All features of internal-transfer WAVs are powered, so you need to be able to use the remote controls easily.

Safety You'll need a mechanism for securing the wheelchair. You need to be able to operate this by yourself. When all possible attempts at modifying the vehicle have failed to allow patients with diminished sensiomotor ability to control the vehicle with guaranteed safety, the person will not be allowed to drive.

In addition, there will always be a maximum speed limit. Controls of vehicles adapted for the physically disabled should allow not only the disabled driver for whom it has been modified to drive, but also able bodied drivers, except in cases of special modifications with restricted use. The facilities installed must not irreversibly affect the original parts of the vehicle except in cases of restricted use, and must allow periodic services to be carried out.

Steering, signalling, gear changing, acceleration and braking must be guaranteed. The vehicle must bear a identification plate, visible from driving position, and the equipment installed must comply with the general conditions established under current law.

Diseases and deficiencies of the limbs have changed over the years. War mutilations have came rare sights, as have motor sequelae caused by infectious diseases such as polimielitis.

Nevertheless, people are living longer and there is an increase in degenerative neuromuscular problems in the elderly. Patients with congenital disease have longer life spans and they want to continue driving, overreaching their limitations. The increase in cardiovascular, neurological, musculoskeletal diseases and their complications mean a daily increase in the number of disabled patients who need to be helped to adapt to a new situation.

The driving task also requires cognitive skills and adequate speeds of reaction as well as physical skills and capabilities. Better methods of assessing these are gradually being developed, but much further work is necessary in this area. Disabled drivers need instructors who are skilled in training for their special needs. Keep in mind that your adaptive equipment may need special attention or more frequent check-ups than your vehicle alone.

However, the following checklist represents basic maintenance that applies to all vehicles:. Proper maintenance can keep your vehicle running smoothly, leaving you free to concentrate on the road and enjoy the freedom of driving.

However, if you think you have a problem with your modified vehicle or adaptive equipment, tell us about it. File a Vehicle Safety Complaint at nhtsa. Your information is important and could help determine if a safety issue exists.

Know if there is a safety problem with your vehicle and how to get it fixed. NHTSA encourages people requiring adaptive devices to work with experienced driver rehabilitation specialists, NHTSA-registered dealers and modifiers, and other professionals to avoid costly mistakes when modifying or purchasing a vehicle to accommodate their requirements safely. Skip to main content. Road Safety Child Safety. Teen Driving. Adapted Vehicles. Vehicle Theft Prevention. Pedestrian Safety.

Bicycle Safety. Older Drivers. Motorcycle Safety. School Bus Safety. Overview People with disabilities can often drive safely by making modifications or adding adaptive equipment to their vehicles to meet their specific needs.

Safety Facts. Possible cost of a new vehicle modified with adaptive equipment.