by 3 people |
The Need For Improved Wheelchair Safety
Did you know that everyday in the USA there is a collision between a vehicle and a wheelchair? Did you know that most fatalities happen at night?
If you do not believe that wheelchair safety is a growing probem click here. This unfortunately reads like a virtual obituary for wheelchair users. Blogger "FriedaWrites" has made a touching tribute to 23 wheelchair users who were killed by cars.
To better understand the urgent need for improved wheelchair safety and some possible steps we can take, read below.
Photo by stagewhisper
Video Documenting A Wheelchair Accident
Even one wheelchair accident is too many
There are many accidents involving wheelchairs and cars. This video shows a news report of one accident. Note that in this case:
* The wheelchair has no lights and no reflectors
* The accident happened at night on a busy street
* The accident happend near a cross walk but not IN a cross walk (many times there are no curb cuts at a sidewalk, so wheelchair users are forced to cross in the middle of the street)
Wheelchair Spoke Reflectors
RehaDesign Wheels On Fire Wheelchair Reflectors
To increase visibility of your wheelchair, try RehaDesign "Wheels On Fire" Wheelchair Spoke Reflectors. These innovative ultra-light reflectors attach individually to each spoke of the wheel. RehaDesign Wheels On Fire add minimal weight to your wheelchair and at the same time, dramatically improve visibility with 360 degree retro-reflective power. Read more about RehaDesign Wheelchair Reflectors.
Wheels On Fire Wheelchair Reflectors
What is the cause of wheelchair accidents?
Who is to blame?
There are many causes of wheelchair accidents. The blame is wide-spread and almost everyone shares responsibility, including society, drivers and wheelchair users themselves.
Society can do much more to improve wheelchair safety. Sidewalks and curb cuts are often in such poor shape, that wheelchair users have no choice but to ride in the street or cross where it is unsafe. There is little social education about the dangers faced by wheelchair users. Drivers should be educated to watch out for wheelchair users who are often forced, by reasons of poor accessibility to use streets and cross in unsafe places. Laws could be enacted forcing drivers to slow down when they spot a wheelchair user or to give right away.
Drivers often do not pay enough attention to wheelchair users. Wheelchairs are built lower to the ground that other cars, pedestrians and cyclists. Imagine an SUV, where the driver's eye level can be 6-9 feet (2-3 meters) off of the ground level and wheelchair user who is sitting 3 feet (1 meter) off of the ground. Large vehicles often have blind spots where a much smaller wheelchair user can disappear. Drivers can easily be distracted by children, mobile telephones or other traffic and not see a wheelchair users. Drivers must be made more aware to the dangers faced daily by wheelchair users and be reminded to pay attention. In an emergency situation it can be much more difficult for a wheelchair user to react and get out of the way. Drivers must learn to slow down and make room when they spot a wheelchair user.
Wheelchair users usually do not take proper steps to improve safety. Cyclists wear helmets, use lights and reflectors, while wheelchair users rarely follow these safety steps. Why? The added weight of these products can make life more difficult. Wheelchair users should take every advantage of newer and lighter technology which would improve their visibility and help to keep them safe
Why are so many wheelchair users involved in accidents?
Who do you think is responsible for improving wheelchair safety?
Please vote below by clicking on an arrow.
1
Wheelchairs are built low to the ground and are more difficult to see than pedestrians and cyclists.
1 point
2
Drivers are not educated about the increasing problem with car/wheelchair accidents, so are often not taking enough precautions.
1 point
3
Wheelchairs can move more quickly than a driver expects.
0 points
4
Many cross walks are not built well for wheelchair users, so many wheelchair users move to the street.
0 points
5
Wheelchairs are not visible enough. It is the wheelchair users responsibility to improve visibility.
0 points
wUnderGlow Wheelchair Lights
3 Wheelchair Lights in One
3 Wheelchair Lights in 1
* White Micro-L.E.D
* Multi-colored L.E.D (use to increase visibility and use for "underglow" effect
* Clip plus light weigh ONLY 10 grams (0.3 oz)
* Fully rotatable Clip
* Battaries Included
Read more about these new Wheelchair Lights.
Check out our wheelchair blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWhat do you think about wheelchair lights?
Should wheelchair users have to use lights and reflectors?
Many wheelchair users do not like to use lights and reflectors. Why?
* Lights and reflectors add weight, cost and bulk to wheelchairs.
* Wheelchair users are just like pedestrians. Pedestrians do not use lights and reflectors, why should wheelchair users?
* Lights and reflectors have added costs.
Should All Wheelchairs Use Lights and Reflectors?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byNo, lights and reflectors are too heavy
Yes, wheelchair users must be more visible
jim klem says:
yes
Posted November 18, 2009
What can wheelchair users do to improve wheelchair safety?
If you have suggestions for what wheelchair users can do to improve safety, please add them below.
1
Assume that drivers can not see you.
Many probably do not. Make sure that you have eye more...1 point
2
Wear light color clothing
Be as visible as possible1 point
3
Use reflectors on your wheelchair
Your reflector is working 24 hours everyday1 point
4
Becareful of blind spots of trucks and buses, especially when turning RIGHT
When large trucks and buses make right turns, they more...0 points
5
Use a light on your wheelchair
Cyclist use lights, why shouldn't wheelchair users more...0 points
6
Avoid crossing in the middle of the street
Crossing in the middle of the street is deadly. A more...0 points
7
0 points
Wheelchair Safety Poll
What do you think are the most important steps to improving wheelchair safety. Vote below.
Stash and Flash Wheelchair Backpack
A Wheelchair Backpack Designed For Safety.
Introducing "Stash and Flash" the latest design by RehaDesign. Stash and Flash wheelchair backpack has a built in reflective strip. Inconspicuous during the day, the wheelchair backpack shines at night.
In addition, you can order your stash and flash with an optional reflective tribal design (heart or flower) which will not only enhance the look of your backpack, but also your visibility.Who says that a wheelchair backpack has to be dull? Read more about the Stash and Flash Wheelchair Backpack.
Wheelchair Spoke Guards
Wheelchair spoke protectors are very important if there are children around. Children's fingers have a way of going everywhere and the spokes of a wheelchair are like rotating knives ready to cut their tiny hands.
RehaDesign has lanuched a series of 5 affordable wheelchair spoke guards. What makes them affodable? The cost of 99 euro is all inclusive. It includes the wheelchair spoke guards, connectors and shipping anywhere in the world. Finally, the quality finish will impress even the most selective wheelchair owner.
What Do You Think About Wheelchair Safety?
What Can Be Done To Improve Wheelchair Safety and Decrease Accidents?
Please give your opinion about how to improve wheelchair safety.
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Reply
- fridawrites fridawrites May 19, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
- Hi, sorry I've just had a chance to make it over. Great blog. I can't vote w/o setting up squidoo, but I do think wheelchairs being built low to the ground and lack of driver education (including why we need to be in streets--they can be aggressive thinking we're intentionally slowing them down) are the major problems.
Cars but especially SUVs can't see us if we're behind them--and lack of accessible parking forces us further back in parking lots behind their vehicles. I always assume someone can't see me or isn't paying attention unless they make eye contact and stop. I had to wait in the rain this weekend for a long time to use my lift because the driver of a giant armored vehicle parked temporarily behind mine was looking down and filling out paperwork--if he had not looked down before pulling out and I'd gone ahead and used my rear wheelchair lift, that would have been the end of me. My scooter has a front light/rear reflectors, though I'd like to add one to the seatback.
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Reply
- Deeishere Deeishere May 16, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
- I am not sure other than education. Great lens. I am taking a wheelchair class this summer and I may share this information.
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