Primary controls
There is a range of adaptations for drivers.
Steering
To steer one handed you are likely to need a steering ball or spinner fitted to the steering wheel, and probably power assisted steering. Both are particularly useful during parking and low speed manoeuvres.
Spinners come in several shapes to suit different types of grip and most cost between £30 and £110.
Steering wheel grips from Alfred Bekker
Some can be used with an artificial limb to steady the steering wheel. Limb Centres provide arm amputees with a spinner (free of charge) that is controlled with a detachable device in their prosthesis, depending on the design of the prosthesis.
Whether you can use a spinner with an artificial hand will depend on the level of your amputation and your type of prosthesis. Some spinners can be used with prostheses for above or below elbow amputation and some device options, such as cup and stem or split hook and ring.
When driving, an electrically powered prosthesis should be switched off and must not be clamped directly on to the steering wheel or spinner. Cosmetic hands can be used for steadying the wheel but not for forceful actions. The fingers should not be wrapped around the wheel rim or spinner.
Avoid adaptations that could interfere with an inflating airbag, and any that protrude and could catch your knee, seat belt or clothing. Take care that any rim fitted device is securely clamped.
Changing gears
Most people opt for an automatic - which can be driven with the right or left foot. To stop the car rolling back on slopes, you need to be able to use a handbrake or have an adaptation such as brake assist.
An automatic could be all you need if your left leg is amputated or if your arm is amputated below the elbow and you drive wearing a prosthesis. Think about the condition of your other leg, as you are likely to need automatic transmission and hand controls (see below) if you have problems with ulcers, sensation or circulation or if both your legs are amputated.
You may have difficulty feeling floor pedals with a prosthetic foot and there is a risk of jamming it under the pedal without realising it. There may be times when your stump is too sore to wear an artificial limb.
Push button gear selector, from Adaptacar
If you cannot use a mechanical gear selector, there are systems which electrically set the gear for you, but these can be costly. It might not be worth adding them to an older vehicle. A Mobility Centre will advise you.
Some cars have manual gears designed to be easy to use - such as nudging the gear stick - without having to use the clutch pedal.
Pushbutton clutches have a touch sensitive switch mounted on the gear stick (around £1,800 and up). As you touch it, a motor disengages the clutch.
There are also semi-automatic clutches varying from mechanical levers to servo-assisted systems but they require manual dexterity.
If you drive an adapted manual car but your driving licence is for automatic vehicles only, you must make sure the clutch pedal is removed.
Accelerating and braking
Bryg Ayd flip up pedal
If your right leg is amputated, consider having an automatic car and a flip up left foot accelerator fitted on the left side of the brake pedal for around £350. You will need training to drive this way. The original accelerator can be flipped down for conventional driving.
Hand controls
Many people find hand controls fitted on an automatic car easier to get used to. There are different types of system which can be mechanical or electric. They vary in the amount of effort required. Have a pedal guard fitted which is easily removeable.
Tips
Here is advice from disabled drivers:
- Think about what you may need in the future as well as about what suits you now
- Get an assessment or test drive a new car when you are your least able - at the end of the day when you feel tired
- Make sure you get what you know you need and want and not what others think you should have
- See as many controls as you can.
Combined controls:
- steering column mounted - push a lever to brake and pull it towards you to accelerate, from around £350.
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Bryg Ayd single lever accelerator and brake - floor mounted push-pull levers - the height, length and strength needed can be set to suit you, from around £700.
- clamp on controls simply bolt on to the pedals - can be used temporarily and cost around £350.
Separate accelerators and brakes:
- accelerator rings need less effort than a push-pull lever and you can steer with both hands on the wheel, from around £1,500.
Under ring accelerator, from Adaptacar
- hand operated floor mounted brakes, around £350.
- custom built accelerators to be worked by different parts of your body.
Parking brake
Bolt on attachments make using the brake easier. These include simple levers to take the effort out of pressing the release button and handles you pull to operate the whole brake. These mostly cost from £70. An alternative is electric brakes worked by push buttons. These vary in cost,from around £750.
next page: Secondary controls