Different road users will have different priorities when it comes to their vehicle. If you’re in a vulnerable category – then you may want to drive something that accommodates your particular needs. Disabled people, novices and pensioners might all have different requirements.
Choosing the right car
The right car for your circumstances should be one that can be driven safely, and that won’t cost an enormous amount. The used market offers a tremendous amount of value, but also a degree of risk; you can avoid problems in most cases through an approved dealer. For example, you might look for approved used Peugeot cars for sale near you.
Features to look for
There are certain features that might be of particular use to vulnerable people of all kinds.
Accessibility
Getting in and out of a vehicle can put pressure on the knees and lower back. In certain cases, a car might be modified to allow wheelchair users to enter the vehicle via a ramp at the rear. On the other hand, older people might benefit from simple modifications like swivel seats and straps.
Advanced safety features
Many modern cars come with extra features that can bolster safety for drivers of all kinds. Reversing cameras and rear proximity alarms can help in backing a car into a space. Rear cross-traffic alert, lane assist, adaptive cruise control and driver fatigue alerts can all help, too.
Automatic transmission
Changing gears is an added complication – and, for many road users, an unwelcome one. Fortunately, you don’t have to master manual transmission to be allowed onto the road: there are many kinds of licenses available, and some of them are restricted just to automatics. Automatics make the driving experience more comfortable and straightforward and allow you to focus on the road in front of you.
Adaptive steering and pedals
Disabled drivers might benefit from adapted steering wheels. These adaptations are often extremely simple and practical – a knob built into the steering wheel, for example, might allow for it to be more easily rotated. Power steering might be lightened, or the car might even be steered using foot controls.
Emergency Assistance Systems
In many modern vehicles, we also find the addition of an emergency assistance system called eCall. This is a device that will provide emergency services with the location of the vehicle when it is involved in a crash. For vulnerable road users, this is a benefit that’s difficult to exaggerate!
In Conclusion
For certain kinds of drivers, life on the road is a little bit more complicated. But it can be made less so with the right choice of vehicle, the right adaptations, and the right approach to driving. In some cases, you might spend a little extra to secure the necessary modifications – but sometimes, you can get them on a modest budget.
