Background
According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, over 95 percent of adults in the U.S. drive or ride in a motor vehicle. However, for adults with disabilities, the percentage is reduced to 83 percent. Over 10,000 vehicles are modified each year to better assist people with disabilities. Of these vehicles, 71 percent are full-size vans or minivans (7,196), of which about 60 percent are modified to accommodate drivers with disabilities and 40 percent are modified to accommodate passengers with disabilities.
If you use a wheelchair, you probably know how to get into and out of a car safely. You’ve probably seen a certified specialist and know the rules, but it doesn’t hurt to go over them occasionally, and correct some mistakes that you may have fallen into. For your benefit, here is a guideline to increase safety for wheelchair-seated drivers and riders.
Where to Sit in the Vehicle
- Transfer into the vehicle’s seat, which is designed for the greatest crash protection.
- If you’re unable to, it is safest to have a WCI9-compliant, transit ready wheelchair. A Non-WCI9-compliant wheelchair is generally not strong enough to withstand the impact forces that can result in a crash.
- WC19-compliant wheelchairs are designed for use as a motor-vehicle seat and have been crash-tested.
Seat Belts
- It is the law to use a seat belt in almost every state once entering a vehicle. The law also applies to wheelchair users, so position the safety shoulder and lap belt correctly and securely.
- To prevent a wheelchair-seated driver from hitting vehicle structures such as the windshield or dashboard during a crash, it is very important to use a seat belt system composed of a shoulder and lap belt that fit comfortably across the pelvis, chest and shoulder — not the wheelchair belt.
- Wheelchair belts have not been crash-tested and some are designed to break away from the wheelchair when in a crash. Exceptions are WC19-compliant wheelchairs that come with crash-tested safety belts.
Safe and Secure
- Always use a crash-tested securement system to safely anchor the wheelchair using a 4-point tie-down system to keep it stationary whether you are sitting in the vehicle seat or in the wheelchair.
- An automatic lock-down system will also work to make the manual tie-down system easier. It connects to a bracket installed on the bottom of the wheelchair, allowing independent wheelchair securement.
Feeling Safer?
It’s important to remember that there is no such thing as being “too safe.” Whether you happen to be in a wheelchair or not, it’s important to take necessary precautions to always be safe and smart when traveling. With the tips listed above, you should now feel safer and more comfortable on your next adventure!
