Driving Tips for People with Physical Disabilities
Important guidelines to remember for drivers with handicaps
Most people take their ability to easily operate a car for granted. For some people, driving a vehicle isn’t a simple task. It’s complicated by special physical conditions or disabilities that impair them from traditional operation methods.
Having the properly modified vehicle is a crucial factor in facilitating someone with a disability in being able to enter, secure themselves in, and control a vehicle. Yet, it isn’t enough to have an adapted vehicle. Driving habits must also be modified to accommodate the driver. Here are some driving tips for people with physical disabilities.
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These driving tips for people with physical disabilities will prepare you for safe travels
Plan Your Route: Making sure you know where you’re going and how to get there is important for multiple reasons. You don’t want to put your attention on looking at a map, pulling up directions on your phone, texting/calling a friend, or having to get out of the car to ask for directions. The more prepared you are, the less distracted you’ll be when driving. If you’re unsure of your route, plug the destination into your GPS before you leave and turn up the spoken instructions so you don’t have to look at the screen.
You also want to familiarize yourself with the directions beforehand to avoid hazardous driving habits, such as slowing down in the middle of intersections straining to see road names, making U-turns when you miss streets, or cutting in front of other cars when you’re in the wrong lane.
Avoid Unsafe Conditions: Aim for traveling in sunny, clear weather during the day when traffic isn’t terrible. Driving in less-than-good conditions will unnecessarily complicate your driving experience. If traveling in poor road/weather conditions is unavoidable, take public transportation, hail an Uber, or have a friend drive you.
Receive Additional Training: Having a tutor and a driving expert familiar with your condition can make you better-prepared for driving with a physical disability. Look for driving schools in your area that offer refreshers on driving safety, particularly institutions that employ driver rehabilitation specialists.
Minimize Distractions: Bear in mind that successful driving relies on mental and visual skills as much as physical skills. Keep yourself from being distracted on the road by your phone, music, or passengers, and concentrate solely on the road ahead.
Sources: Pro Car Mechanic, Moss Rehab
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