The radial action accelerator and combined push brake lever is one of a range of hand controls available when a person is unable to use their feet to operate the standard pedals. The lever is generally for use with the right hand although it may be fitted to the left of the steering wheel for use with the left hand. The accelerator is operated by pushing the lever down towards the floor and the brake is operated by pushing the lever away towards the dashboard .
This adaptation can be fitted to most vehicles but the system is designed primarily for a vehicle with automatic transmission and for a person who is unable to use or has difficulty using their legs to operate the pedals for accelerating and braking. It is strongly recommended that these controls are fitted to a vehicle with power assisted steering.
Points to consider
• The weight of the hand and gravity assist when the lever is pushed down for acceleration.
• For someone with a spinal injury who has finger motion impairment it is easier to push a lever downwards than pull one towards you, which would require a certain amount of grip.
• Fitting of radial hand controls should not affect the operation of the pedals if another person wishes to drive the vehicle in a standard way. However, when a person is using radial hand controls when driving, a pedal guard is recommended to prevent accidental operation of the pedals or the feet from slipping underneath the accelerator and brake pedals. These can be removed easily when the car is driven with standard foot controls.
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Radial hand controls can be used in conjunction with a steering spinner which is a knob attached to the steering wheel to assist with a one arm action of turning. The use of a radial hand control, particularly when using a steering wheel spinner, may have an impact on your stability while driving. Ensure that you are sitting in a good position in relation to the controls and that you have adequate support from the car seat.
• The radial hand controls may have an impact on the knee/leg space when entering or leaving the vehicle. This should be taken into consideration when choosing a vehicle. Check whether the rods attached to the pedals are obtrusive and/or covered by a guard. Ensure that there is enough room for a person's legs without them knocking against the rods and that a driver using the normal controls can do so safely.
• The installation of push-pull hand controls will require the steering wheel or steering column to be in a fixed position. Any adjustability to the steering wheel or column will be lost.
• The shape of the lever and padding may affect the comfort and length of time that the lever can be used. As constant use of the arms to operate all the car controls can be tiring, a cruise control system may help reduce this problem on longer journeys. However, you need to ensure you can operate this while maintaining control of the vehicle.
• To determine whether this adaptation is suitable for your particular needs arrange an assessment at your local Centre.
• It is recommended that a person receives some tuition using a hand control before driving on the public highway. There is a Register of Driving Instructors for Disabled People and details of instructors in each county are available on 0800 5593636.