Motoring after brain injury (view report contents)
Choosing a car
You may be able to continue driving an unadapted car, particularly if it has automatic transmission and power steering. Also the less a car has to be modified to suit your needs, the higher its resale value.
If you are changing cars you can use this list to tick the features you might find useful.
Getting in and out
- easy door handles that you just pull on, without buttons or levers
- tall and wide door openings – doors on two-door cars are usually wider
- doors with a wide opening angle
- no sills or low, narrow sills
- conveniently placed handholds
- seat height that best suits you
- electrically operated seats which go up and down, forwards and back – useful if you need space to get your legs in but you need to sit closer to the wheel for driving
- space around the seat
- plenty of leg and foot room
- no door pockets that get in the way
Locking and ignition
- remote and central locking
- keyless entry system – easier than using a key
- remote start
- windows that close automatically when the car is locked
Primary controls
For steering, braking and accelerating
- automatic transmission may make driving less stressful and tiring
- power assisted steering – on some cars the effort needed can be lightened by the dealership or by specialist converters
- cruise control to maintain a constant speed
Secondary controls
For things like the horn, lights and indicators – try to find
a model where these are in the best position
for you
- electric windows
- electric and heated door mirrors
- heated windscreen
- wipers which switch on automatically when it rains
- lights which switch on automatically when it gets dark
- easy controls for audio equipment
- parking sensor – sounds if you are near an obstacle
- reversing camera
- avoid or adapt ratchet type handbrakes which can be stiff to release if you have a weak hand and wrist
Boot or hatch
- no sill or low sill
- rear seats which fold flat by power
- hatch which opens by power
- internal boot/hatch release
- adequate space if you have a wheelchair.
Report Contents
About
this guide
Motoring
after brain injury
Choosing
a car
Plan
of action
Products
and techniques
Getting
in and out
Primary
controls
Secondary
controls
Finance
Further
information
Helpful
organisations
