Accessories You Might Add to a Vehicle to Make it More Accessible to You
Posted on: 7 July 2015
Share
If you've suffered a serious injury or have a condition that limits your mobility such as arthritis, you don't need to give up the idea of driving your own vehicle just yet. Very often there are some accessories you can add to make it more accessible and easier to drive, and which can help to keep you mobile.
Note a few ways you might transform your own vehicle so that it's more accessible and easier to manage, and in turn, can keep you from having to rely on public transportation:
1. Pedal extenders
Someone with very painful joints may be able to reach the pedals of their car, but exerting enough pressure to make it go or stop can be difficult. This is how pedal extenders can help; the driver needs to exert less pressure and push down far less when these extenders are added to brake and gas pedals. In turn, the knees aren't overextended and there may be less soreness in this joint while driving.
2. Levers for acceleration and braking
For those who are paralyzed or severely limited when it comes to their leg strength and mobility, levers for acceleration and braking can be added to the side of the steering wheel. This eliminates the need for controlling the car with your feet. You can pull the lever to make the car go forward and press it for braking. These levers can often be fitted on either side of the steering wheel or even in the console of the vehicle, so that you can control the car with whatever hand and arm is most comfortable for you.
3. Left foot accelerators
A left foot accelerator eliminates the need for using the right foot when driving, for those who may be paralyzed on that side or who have mobility issues on just one side of their body. This allows the driver to use the left foot alone for accelerating and braking, as needed.
4. Steering knobs
Today, a wide variety of steering knobs and grips can keep a driver in control of their vehicle even if they have arthritis or are an amputee. These grips come in a range of sizes and styles, and some work by using a strap that attaches to the driver's wrist for maximum control. No matter the issues with the joints of the hand or even if you are missing a hand altogether, these grips can easily attach to the steering wheel and keep you in control behind the wheel.
Contact a company like Vics Maxi Transport if you'd like to learn more about accessible transportation.