Disabled Driving - Tetraplegic Using Joystick Steering

Driving an adapted vehicle as a tetraplegic whilst sitting in a wheelchair is easy if the vehicle has been fitted with the correct driving controls. I hope that I can give you some advice and help on disabled driving so that if you are disabled and are thinking about getting a vehicle, you can get it right the first time and not make the same mistakes I did.

I was 16 when I had my accident so I had never had any experience driving a car before. It was quite frustrating watching all my friends pass their driving test, and then go out and buy their first car. Driving was something that I really wanted to be able to do. Missing out on all that was not a nice experience. In 1989, I was assessed to see what kind of driving controls I would need. It seemed more or less straight forward. I was told that I would be perfectly okay with power assisted steering.

In 1992 I was awarded damages for my accident, this obviously enabled me to purchase a car. I decided on a Chrysler Voyager. I bought it through a company that imported them from the United States. From the time of ordering the car, to when it was finished, took about three months. You can imagine, I had high expectations of what I was going to be able to do. Unfortunately, everything didn't go as I had hoped. Even though I'd had an assessment, I found that I couldn't turn the steering wheel properly. It was a real blow; I had set my heart on driving.

I am afraid that I have to blame the organization that assessed me. It's easy now when I look back. The assessment was not done correctly. Not enough attention was paid to how much strength and coordination I had.

It was another 2 ½ years before I decided to have a crack at the driving again. This time, I approached steering developments, in the hope of having Joy stick steering fitted. I felt them to be a very competent company. They assessed me thoroughly to establish what kind of controls I would need. Once that was all done, it was time to get the car fitted out with the controls. The job itself took a few weeks to do. Once it was finished, I traveled back up to Steering Developments in Hemel Hempstead to test the car out. Steering developments have got use of an old World War II runway, so there's loads of space if anything goes wrong. As soon as I got into the driving position, I knew this time was going to be different. Off I went, I couldn't believe it, I was driving for the first time in my life. The joystick steering worked a treat. It was perfect; I took to driving like a duck to water. It's hard to describe the feelings I had when I realised that I was going to be able to drive.

I passed my driving test on May 1 1995, and first time as well. The only mistake I made was approaching a large roundabout in the wrong lane. The next day we were off to France on holiday, this is actually where I drove for the first time on my own.

I often get asked whether I took a special driving test for the disabled driver. The answer is no, my driving test was the same as any able-bodied person. If you think about it, I'm no different when I'm on the road than anyone else, why should I be treated differently when taking a driving test?. At the end of the day, my van is just as dangerous as anyone else's on the road. A disabled person has got to prove they can drive competently. You won't get any favours and nor should you in my opinion. If you are not able to control a motor vehicle properly then you should not be driving.

The technology that is around these days, enables some of the most disabled people to get behind the wheel of car and start driving. I have seen people with one arm, half an arm and even no arms driving with no problem at all.

If you are a tetraplegic and decide you want to start driving, you will have to plan your new venture very carefully. Because tetraplegics do tend to lack upper body strength, driving isn't always as straightforward as you may think. There are various factors that you need to address before you even think about putting your hand in your pocket. Firstly, can you get in and out of a car by yourself? The majority of tetraplegics will probably have problems in transferring. If you cannot transfer by yourself, and you what to be totally independent when using your car, you are going to have to go for a car that you drive from a wheelchair. This will involve choosing a car that you either enter from the rear, or alternatively, the side of the vehicle. If you don't want one of these cars, your only other option will be to have someone put you in and out of the car , which is going to reduce your independence dramatically.

Once you have decided on what sort of car you want, you will then need to be assessed so it can be established on how much strength you have got. Unfortunately, there is quite a fine line between paying a few hundred, and a few thousands pounds. It all boils down to just how much strength you have got, and whether or not , you can manage to control a steering wheel. There are various companies who carry out conversions for the disabled, they will have all the necessary equipment available to judge just what your needs are. Alternatively, there is an organization called Mavis [mobility advice and vehicle information service], they will carry out an assessment and advise on what type of car may be suitable for you.

I have made mistakes in the past and it has cost me a lot of money. Finding the correct organisation who will assess your needs properly is vitally important. I wouldn't advise you parting with any money until you know exactly what your capabilities are, and what sort of equipment you will need to drive.

The Importance of Being Assessed

I can't stress enough the importance of being assessed properly before even getting in a car. It's not just how you're going to control the car that needs to be addressed, a proper sitting position where you are comfortable and stable is also absolutely paramount. It's all very well having no problems turning the steering wheel and accelerating/braking if every time you go around a roundabout you fall over. If you do keep falling to each side you are not going to be able to drive safely. I know various people who have had quite serious accidents because they have not been able to maintain their balance when going around corners. There are loads of things that can be done to support your body, the adaption company will design bespoke components just for you.

On June 5, 2006, I ordered my new Mercedes Sprinter. I was told the vehicle will be ready at the beginning, to mid-September. September arrived and I received a phone call telling me that there was going to be a delay with my vehicle. It wouldn't be arriving till the end of November. You can imagine how incredibly annoyed I was about that. The end of November came and eventually the vehicle arrived in the country. It was then taken to Adaptacar. Another seven months went by and eventually the adaption work was complete. The date was made for delivery and you can imagine how excited I was. Two days before delivery, I receive some devastating news. The car had been crashed during a test drive. I just couldn't believe it, I had waited over a year and then this happens. Anyway, the vehicle was put back into its original condition and finally delivered to me. Finally, I had got my vehicle. A bloody long wait but I finally had it.

I think I've made a very good choice with the Sprinter . After travelling up to Adaptacar in a Kia Sedona, I now realise I made a very wise choice not going for one of these vehicles. I was very surprised how little space there was inside. The Sprinter on the other hand has absolutely bags of internal room . Okay, it's a van, it's not a car, it's bound to have more room, but when you've got a large wheelchair, you will realise just how important the extra space is. The V6 Sprinter is actually diesel, although you would never realise it by listening to the engine. I have spent a little more on the interior because I didn't want it to look like a van inside.

If you are planning on driving your vehicle from a wheelchair, there is one, maybe two very important factors you have to take into account. Before measurements are made with you sitting behind the wheel, make sure that your tyres are pumped up properly. If you are measured up with flat tires, there could be a difference of up to 3 inches when they are pumped up, this could make a difference to your driving. If you are sitting on an inflatable cushion such as a Roho, treat it in the same way you would your tyres.