United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Anyone have suggestions regarding adapting a car for right-handed only driving? My son does fine with reaching thru the steering wheel for turn signals, but last night I had to constantly turn on/off the brights (curvy mountain road), and realized how unsafe it would have been for him.

Thanks!

Ellen

You're right Ellen, even if you can manage one handed most of the time, there are times when it is definitely not safe. As a parent I always think to myself how I would feel if someone knocked down one of my kids who then told me "I can manage ok MOST of the time....but sometimes I have to take my hand off the steering wheel...."!!!!!!....many of us are posting here on this message board because of someone else's driving error, noone set out to injure me but another driver took what he thought was a non risky chance on the road and here I am with no right arm as a result.
Sorry to go on, but in control 'most of the time' is not good enough for me, I could not live with myself if anyone got injured as a result of the few times I am not fully in control one handed.
Nancy Birk has described her car adaptions here http://ubpn.org/ubpnweb.nsf/web/vehiclemod.html . Here is another page about how Brits have to deal with the disability issues http://tbpiukgroup.homestead.com/vehicledvla.html the adaptive device he describes is available in the UK but I would think there may be something similar in the States. If a person with limited arm use were to drive an unadapted vehicle in the UK, they would be liable for prosecution for dangerous driving (a very serious charge) and in the event of an accident would probably be found liable for any damages. Insurance would be invalidated, all policies state that you must be in full control at all times, meaning that if a person has to take their one good hand off the wheel for any reason, they are not in control and their insurance is therefore invalidated. I don't know how strict the laws regarding this are in the US, to me, it's not a matter of legal requirements, it's a matter of my personal safety, and the safety of those I share the roads with.
Happy motoring :0)

i was having the same problem but in corners it got kinda hairy, so what i did was install a floor mounted dimmer switch in my truck just like the older trucks used to have stock. i have A 98 dodge but just went to napa auto parts and bought a floor dimmer from an earlier model ford and some wire, then just spliced in from the steering column. it is actually really easy. hope that helps.
take care Denny.