Driving Aid For Handicapped

[antony77]

I have torn a ligament in my left shoulder and I can not lift my arm more than waist level/

I need a special knob which fits on the steering wheel so I can drive with one hand. The car is automatic and my let arm can reach the gear lever but not the wheel. Anyone know where I can get same

[dumball]

Kind of a dangerous way to drive in my opinion even though it may be convenient for you , in certain situations it takes two good hands/arms to control any vehicle , maybe this is not the answer you are looking for but it is the only sensible one I can think of . What if the hydraulic brake sysem failed , how would you control the steering and apply the emergency brake at the same time ?

[Cuban]

I very much doubt you will find 'enlightened' handicapped driving aids shops as you would in Western countries, I am aware of a slightly handicapped man that attempted to get a Thai driving licence some years ago, the Land Transport Office told him to get a doctor's certificate as the first step (mostly as it sent him away from their office), the doctor's note said that he was handicapped and as far as the LTO were interested he could not progress with the licence because of this.

As for your direct situation, I think you are talking about "Suicide Knobs" you may find them sold in custom car parts shops, or look through some of the car sales magazines. You will probably find someone that could bring one over from your home country (?) or take a trip to a home supplies hardware store, there are probably a few standard handles that could be adapted to fit. My suggestion would be to have the rubber cut away from the steering wheel to allow for a really tight fitting of the knob.

Link: Suicide Knob. From $8 here.

HTH.

[antony77]

Kind of a dangerous way to drive in my opinion even though it may be convenient for you , in certain situations it takes two good hands/arms to control any vehicle , maybe this is not the answer you are looking for but it is the only sensible one I can think of . What if the hydraulic brake sysem failed , how would you control the steering and apply the emergency brake at the same time ?

A fair answer to my query. but my left arm can easily reach the emergancy break or the gear controls. So I do not consider it too dangerous to Drive and whilst I drive it rests on the steering wheel and can control it together with my good right arm. I live far away from a city with no taxis or public transport. I don't have much choice.

[Mrjlh]

Kind of a dangerous way to drive in my opinion even though it may be convenient for you , in certain situations it takes two good hands/arms to control any vehicle , maybe this is not the answer you are looking for but it is the only sensible one I can think of . What if the hydraulic brake sysem failed , how would you control the steering and apply the emergency brake at the same time ?

Not dangerous at all. Handicapped people have been doing it for years, safely. You use the other hand or what ever other adaptions that are avaiable. Otherwise they wouldn't make the devices. In fact most handicapped drivers are better drivers because of their handicap. Kind of a insensitive response in my opinion and your talking to a handicapped person. Maybe they need devices for handicapped brains.

[Mrjlh]

I very much doubt you will find 'enlightened' handicapped driving aids shops as you would in Western countries, I am aware of a slightly handicapped man that attempted to get a Thai driving licence some years ago, the Land Transport Office told him to get a doctor's certificate as the first step (mostly as it sent him away from their office), the doctor's note said that he was handicapped and as far as the LTO were interested he could not progress with the licence because of this.

As for your direct situation, I think you are talking about "Suicide Knobs" you may find them sold in custom car parts shops, or look through some of the car sales magazines. You will probably find someone that could bring one over from your home country (?) or take a trip to a home supplies hardware store, there are probably a few standard handles that could be adapted to fit. My suggestion would be to have the rubber cut away from the steering wheel to allow for a really tight fitting of the knob.

Link: Suicide Knob. From $8 here.

HTH.

Agreed about the Doctors note. Get one and carry it with you. If you haven't got a Thai license you will need a note from the doctor to get your license. The cheap "suicide knobs" sold in stores here are not sturdy enough. You may have to order one online and have it shipped. If you can find a "lawn mower" knob which used on the larger construction equipment like tractors or fork lifts, a little modification and they work very well. Sorry about your problem. Can happen to anyone, even the brain dead.

[harrry]

I very much doubt you will find 'enlightened' handicapped driving aids shops as you would in Western countries, I am aware of a slightly handicapped man that attempted to get a Thai driving licence some years ago, the Land Transport Office told him to get a doctor's certificate as the first step (mostly as it sent him away from their office), the doctor's note said that he was handicapped and as far as the LTO were interested he could not progress with the licence because of this.

HTH.

This is definitely not true now. Thet were very very helpful when I needed a licence. They even carried me upstairs for the photo.

[Cuban]

This is definitely not true now. Thet were very very helpful when I needed a licence. They even carried me upstairs for the photo.

Like most things in Thailand the person's experiance will vary between offices and staff on duty at the time.

In the case I quoted I was not surprised as IMHO he should not have considered attempting as it was clearly a losing case - however I understand the desire for inderpendance means that it should be attempted.

.......and before anyone asks, money was not an issue as my friend was not short of that.