Are you hesitant to trade in your gas-guzzler for a fuel-efficient model because you might have to sacrifice comfort – or safety? Don’t be. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping for an arthritis-friendly car.
James Riswick, automotive editor forEdmunds.com, a popular car review site, says there are many fuel-efficient cars with arthritis-friendly features. To be considered fuel-efficient, a car must get 29.7 mpg.
瑞斯威克说，轻便的车门、易于转动的小方向盘、按钮式点火和控制装置(而不是旋钮)以及可以轻松装下滑板车的大后备箱，这些都是最近推出的一些对关节炎很友好的特点。A low chassis is also key to ease getting in and out, especially for those with arthriti
尽管联邦政府对企业平均燃油经济性(CAFE)的规定将在2016年收紧，但人们还是会买自己想买的东西。CAFE was designed to encourage automotive manufacturers to build and sell more fuel-efficient cars, but many manufacturers say they’d rather pay the fine for non-compliance than make cars nobody wants, according to a report by John O’Dell, editor ofGreenCarAdvisor.com. Regulators and many in the green community haven’t learned that autos are still a major investment made as much with emotion as with common sense, according to O’Dell.
Whether you choose a car based on emotion or logic, you’ll want the most comfort and safety features available.
Newer cars, in general, are more sophisticated and offer more adjustments to their safety devices, says Elin Schold-Davis, occupational therapist and coordinator of the Older Driver Initiative for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) in Bethesda, Md.
Anything that can be adjusted inside the car makes driving easier for those with arthritis, says Schold-Davis. Many cars have an adjustable steering column – one you can move forward so you can get in and then move back so it’s within a comfortable reach.
Comfort is Key
Fuel-efficient cars are typically small. But Riswick says smaller size can still be comfortable and give you room to move. However, he says, “If you’re tall, you won’t get much leg room in a Toyota.”
第一条经验法则是在车里要舒适。舒适度降低会分散注意力，危及安全。
The best vehicle for you leaves you with minimal or no pain when sitting, driving, getting in and out, and doing common tasks like loading mobility devices (cane, walker, scooter, etc.) and groceries. As an aside, some of the hybrid cars have their battery packs in the trunk area, reducing the usable amount of trunk space. While shopping, take whatever you use daily, such as a cane or walker, and see how it fits into the car.
戴维斯建议雇佣一位对关节炎和/或驾驶康复有了解的职业治疗师来帮助你买车。You can find one in your area on theAOTA site在当地的医院或当地的职业治疗协会。
Must-Have Features
车身的一些常见受力点的内饰包括加热座椅、可调节方向盘、可调节踏板、可以轻松达到的控制装置和使用方便的安全带。
• When a seat belt is within easy reach, goes on quickly and releases without difficulty, it’s more likely to be used. Seat belts should be buckled low on the hips, crossing the bony pelvic bones, and the shoulder strap should cross mid-shoulder.
• Having to twist knobs or turn a key either to get into the car or to start it can be a challenge if you have arthritis in your hands. Keyless entry and a voice-activated navigation system, which a number of cars have, easily solve both problems.
• Craning your neck to see on either side of your car or turning your head quickly can result in intense pain when you have arthritis in your neck and shoulders. Cars equipped with enhanced visibility via more or bigger mirrors or a back-up camera system and parallel parking guidance make driving much safer.
“The ability to see all around the vehicle – a clear line of sight to the rear and sides, offers the driver the greatest opportunity to prevent a crash,” says Schold-Davis.
• Heated seats feel heavenly if your arthritis is in your hips and keeps them more flexible.
•类似于OnStar的911系统会在你发生车祸时通知别人。这对任何人都有好处，尤其是对行动不便的人。
If your new car needs adaptive equipment, you can receive a $1,000 credit from the auto manufacturer for those additions. Just ask.