Driving As a Tetraplegic

Driving a vehicle when you have limited movement in your arms and legs can be made possible if the vehicle has been fitted with the correct driving controls. I hope that I can give you some advice and help that will enable you to start driving if you are disabled. I hope that by reading my article you can get it right the first time and not make the same mistakes that 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.

My Mercedes Sprinter Van

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.

Joystick Steering

Being a disabled driver means I need specialised hand controls which enable me drive my car in a safe and proper manner. My disability makes it very difficult for me to use a traditional steering wheel. Thankfully, there are some clever boffins in this world that have come up with various means ways to get even the most disabled people back behind the wheel. I use a specially designed joystick that eliminates the need to even touch the steering wheel. There are various different types of joystick available but I use a system called Space Drive which is manufactured by German company called Paravan. The joystick is similar to the one you might find on an electric wheelchair, although mine is only two way, they do fall way joysticks that not only control steering, but also acceleration. the space drive joystick system is so incredibly responsive, the amount of effort needed to operate the joystick Is next to nothing. there is one thing I need to point out regarding my system.

In its original state, the space drive joystick operates from left to right. In other words, if you want to turn right you push the joystick to the right and so on. Adaptacar modified my joystick so I actually push it back and forth. The reason I had them modify it is my original system in my previous vehicle worked in a similar way and since I had adapted to that so well, I thought it may be better to stick to what I know.

For accelerating and braking, I also use Space Drive. In its original state, it has a lever that moves back and forth for braking and acceleration. I have had mine slightly modified so that my arm sits in a kind of trough. I push forward for brake, and pull back to accelerate. I have a small button next to my elbow which is used for secondary controls such as indicators, dipping headlights etc.

One very important factor I have found that needs to be considered is what you are going to use to support you when you are driving. If you are not able to use muscle to support yourself, you'll have to use your arms. Even going round the corner gently causes a certain amount of G Force. If you've got no support, you're not going to be able to control the car when turning corners. My left arm is positioned in my accelerator/brake which gives me excellent support when turning right. On my right steering arm, I have had an elbow support attached to the door. I also have a wrist support just behind the joystick. This also gives me superb support when driving. I can drive for many miles without getting tired which is something that you really should look at very carefully.

The only criticism I have about the Paravan system is the way it's been designed so the vehicle can be driven by able-bodied drivers. There is no need for an able-bodied driver to use the disabled driving controls, they need to be disengaged so the car can be driven normally. In my previous vehicle you simply flick a switch located on the dash and your able-bodied driver then had control over the vehicle. Paravan has not made it a straightforward  switchover between systems. The process of disabling and then enabling the adaptive controls can at best be described as "awkward", at worst, a downright pain in the backside.  Because I love these controls so much I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt.

My level of injury means that I have no muscle control in my abdomen and back. Any tetraplegic will know exactly what it is like when you lack these muscles. It is very easy to lose your balance and either fall side to side, or just tip forwards. When I used to drive my Chrysler, I would wear a chest strap. I wanted to get away from that because it was quite uncomfortable being pinned to the chair all day, especially if you are on your own. It also didn't look very nice either. Adaptacar have modified the existing seatbelt so I can actually tighten tighten it up against me. This then gives you plenty of support when you are driving. I don't actually undo the seatbelt, when I get out of the car, I slacken the seatbelt off. It is then loose enough to lift over your knee so you can get in and out of the driver's position without the hassle of messing around with the seatbelt.

The handbrake is operated using a toggle switch. I also have a much improved electronic gear shift in the new Mercedes. The gear selector buttons are now housed in the joystick casing which means they are in easy reach. These consist of four buttons, drive, park, neutral and reverse. All you do is press a button once to select the relevant gear. The electronic gear selector I had fitted in my Chrysler was made by EMC. To change gear, you had to keep your finger on the button until the gear changed. Having to keep a lifeless finger depressed on a button until the gear changes can be rather uncomfortable sometimes. Paravan have simplified this task. Only having to press the button once does make a very big difference to your driving.

Entry to the vehicle is via a Ricon lift located at the rear of the vehicle. Using a remote control which hangs around my neck, there are various buttons that open and close the doors and raise and lower the lift. You do have the choice to have the lift fitted at the side of the vehicle so you access through the sliding door on the side of the van. However, I would think very carefully about having this as your exit and entry. There are a very limited amount of parking spaces that give you enough room to lower a ramp or lift. If you have your lift at the rear of the vehicle then you can use any parking space you want, it doesn't have to be a disabled parking space. So now I drive a Mercedes Sprinter Van with rear access, I no longer have problems parking at the supermarkets. Previously when I had my Chrysler Voyager with side entry It was always hit and miss to whether I would find a parking space.

It's taken over a year for me to get my hands on my vehicle. I am now in possession of a bloody brilliant van. If you are thinking about updating your vehicle, or are going to take to the road for the first time, you really can't go wrong with a Mercedes sprinter van.

There are various models of sprinter van available. I believe they range from just over 80 BHP, to a whopping 184 BHP. What you've got to remember is that the Sprinter Vans that are converted for disabled drivers start off as just delivery vans. Mercedes Sprinters are one of the most popular delivery vans on the market nowadays. How many times have you seen them hammering down the motorway? they are built to carry heavy loads, fast. If you are new to driving then I would advise you to choose your van very carefully. Remember that the more brake horsepower you have, the more powerful it is going to be. Ask yourself whether you need all this power? I can speak from experience that 184 BHP is extremely powerful, especially when you've got an empty van with just you driving. Its acceleration is immense, you only have to touch the accelerator and you are away like a rat up a drainpipe. For this reason, I would be very cautious about purchasing this make of sprinter van if you have never driven before. It would only take a little bit of over acceleration in the wrong place for you to have an accident. I drove my Chrysler Voyager for 13 years before getting my Mercedes van and believe me, the Sprinter took a lot of getting used to because of the power. I personally would advise new drivers to opt for the less powerful sprinter vans.

Driving my Mercedes Sprinter Van

Ever since I started driving Fish insurance have insured my car. They are a specialist insurance company that specialise in disabled insurance. If you are in the United Kingdom then why not contact them and see what deal they can give you. at the moment my insurance is just over £500 a year. This covers myself and anyone over 25 to drive my vehicle. They will also replace the vehicle plus all adaptions. Try getting this kind of deal through a normal insurance company.

I would like to congratulate Adaptacar in South Molton for carrying out a first class job on my vehicle. They have also travelled to my premises on various occasions when I've had a problem. I would like to say a very special thank you to Jack for his ongoing assistance and help.

I love driving, it gives me the independence to get out on the open road and be the same as everyone else. When I'm driving in my car, I'm not a guy wheeling down the road in my electric wheelchair. It is one time when people look upon me as just another person, and not a disabled person.

If you are going mobile saying, I wish you lots of luck. I'm sure that you will love it as much as I do.

Safe driving

Please display your blue badge properly at all times

Most disabled drivers depend very much on their blue badge and parking permit, without the means of being able to park free of charge we would have a really hard time parking anywhere in the town car parks. When you get your blue badge make sure you fully understand how to use it properly because valid or not, failure to display a blue badge properly will result in a parking fine. Your blue badge has two sides, one has a photograph of you and carries your name, the other side which must always be on display carries your blue badge serial number and expiry date that the civil enforcement officer must be able to read clearly and without obstruction. Failure to display your blue badge properly will result in a fine as I recently found out at Brixham car park. I failed to realise that my blue badge was facing the wrong way and even though it was perfectly valid, the civil enforcement officer was not able to verify that it was a valid blue badge, therefore he issued me with a parking fine.

According to the rules of using a blue badge, the badge and clock must be placed on the dashboard with the wheelchair symbol facing outwards. The rules also state that the blue badge must only be used when parking your vehicle. I'm not sure if the powers be have taken into account those of us who are not able to pick things up, or reach across to place a blue badge on the dashboard. I have no choice but to leave my badge and clock on display permanently.

If like me you are going to leave your badge on permanent display, remember that the sunlight may fade the writing, if the CEO cannot read your serial number then he will probably issue you with a fine. At the end of the day you are responsible for your own blue badge. Unfortunately I learnt the hard way and failing to check whether my badge was placed correctly has cost me a fine, at the time of writing I have appealed so I'm hoping it will be cancelled out. Don't give a civil enforcement officer an excuse to give you a fine, believe me, they are very unforgiving and it wouldn't surprise me if they actually take great delight in issuing fines.