Transportation
Selecting a Modified Vehicle
Last Updated:
To determine what vehicle is most appropriate for transportation after brain injury, it may be necessary to consider vehicles other than cars. A van, sports utility vehicle or pickup truck may need to be considered if the individual uses a wheelchair or other mobility device and cannot be transferred or positioned safely in a conventional car seat. Several devices are available that can lift a wheelchair or scooter into the rear or driver side sliding door of a van, or in some cases into a car trunk. The size of the wheelchair or scooter must be compatible with the vehicle door openings and the weight limitations of the wheelchair lift mechanism.
A structurally modified van may be needed if the individual needs to enter the vehicle while seated in his or her wheelchair or scooter. Entry is accomplished with a platform lift. Weight, wheelchair length and width will influence the choice of lift. Full size vans can have door openings ranging from 48” to 60” high. Floors can be lowered in some vans; roofs and doors can be raised in most models. A passenger seated in a wheelchair will have poor visibility if the vehicle does not have a lowered floor. A passenger seated in a wheelchair is usually limited to the center cargo section though some full size vans have front passenger area modifications.
Lowered floor minivans have shorter maximum door openings and interior height. A person with a seated height in their wheelchair of more than 54” will usually not be able to use a minivan with lowered floor. Removable seats allow the wheelchair user to be positioned in the driver’s area, front passenger area or center cargo area. Entry is accomplished by means of a ramp. Most power wheelchair users will be able to navigate the ramp but some manual wheelchair users may not be able to push up and down the ramp independently. Wheelchairs with wide wheelbases may not fit on the ramp.
The wheelchair must be secured even if unoccupied, to protect vehicle occupants in a crash. Automatic lockdown systems are needed for independent drivers. Either manual strap tie-downs or automatic lockdowns may be used for passengers. Seat belt modifications may also be needed for the driver or passenger. Additional chest straps, headrests or lateral supports may be needed to provide stability in the moving vehicle.
Before selecting a vehicle, consult with a certified driver rehabilitation specialist (CDRS). A directory of CRDS by location may be found at www.aded.net. The primary job of certified rehabilitation specialists is to define what modifications are needed. Their input helps consumers avoid costly mistakes in buying or leasing an inappropriate vehicle. Once a driving specialist makes the vehicle and equipment recommendations, a mobility equipment vendor will make the needed modifications. A local dealer can go to www.nmeda.org for resources and information. The driving specialist and vendor should partner in the ordering/fitting/purchase process to ensure that the equipment has been installed as recommended and that it is adjusted properly.
Beth Anderson is an occupational therapist, a certified driver rehabilitation specialist and a state licensed driving instructor. She has worked at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia for 15 years. Beth has presented on various driving topics at local and national conferences and is the author of a chapter on driving assessments in the textbook Spinal Cord Injury Medicine.