Safety and Comfort Tips for Shorter Drivers

[Michelle]

Safety and Comfort Tips for Shorter Drivers

(ARA) - Everyone's heard the short jokes. But when it comes to being safe and comfortable behind the wheel, height -- or lack of it -- is no laughing matter. Shorter drivers face a multitude of issues when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle designed for their average height or taller counterparts.

"From difficulty reaching the pedals, to an inability to see over the steering wheel, driving can create big problems for petite drivers," says Bob Brown, founder of Sensible Solutions auto accessories and an expert on shorter drivers. Brown founded his company after years of watching his petite wife's driving struggles. "Comfort while driving is a key part of safe driving, especially for shorter drivers."

The majority of auto makers design cars to accommodate people of average height -- 5 feet 8 inches in the United States. Yet a significant portion of the American driving population -- from teens to seniors and petite women -- is shorter than average. Fortunately, says Brown, the right auto accessory can help a shorter driver cope with virtually any size-related issue.

Here are Brown's tips to help shorter drivers navigate in an average-sized driving environment:

* Shorter drivers may have difficulty reaching the brake and gas pedals. And moving the seat closer to the steering wheel may move the driver into the Airbag Danger Zone -- that is, closer than 10 to 12 inches from the steering wheel. Many shorter drivers find it uncomfortable or even impossible to reach the pedals without being too close to the airbag. Pedal extenders can help solve the problem by adding length to the gas, brake and clutch pedals.

"Pedal extenders can add up to 4 inches to the pedal's length, enabling a shorter driver to safely reach the pedals," Brown says. "Some shorter drivers, who've never before been able to rest their heel on the floor, may find the extenders feel odd at first. But the ability to reach the pedals, and rest their foot and leg at the same time, dramatically increases their comfort and safety while driving."

The extenders are easy to install, and simple and economical to use. They cost about $130 for a set of two.

* Air bags can save lives, but for shorter drivers this life-saving tool can become a lethal threat. Even average or taller drivers are advised to keep 10 to 12 inches between their bodies and the airbag in their car's steering wheel. But for shorter drivers, that distance requirement may simply be impossible to achieve. They are at risk of being injured or killed by the full force of an inflating airbag.

"The law does permit drivers the option of turning off the airbags in their cars," Brown notes. "but no car manufacturer offers an airbag cutoff switch for the driver. Fortunately, you can have one installed after-market in virtually any car that has an airbag."

Many people think the weight sensor for the passenger seat will turn the airbag off. This weight sensor controls the"Passenger Airbag Off" light on the dash in some newer cars. But the car manufacturer's weight sensor is intended to keep the Passenger Airbag off only if an infant or small child is placed in the passenger seat. A larger passenger turns the airbag on automatically. Fortunately, you also can have a Passenger Airbag Switch installed after-market in virtually any car that has an airbag."

For most cars, the cost of the airbag switch is about $150 to $160. With installation, the total cost is about $400.

The switches allow the driver to turn the airbag on or off at will -- to accommodate shorter drivers as well as their average or taller spouses and driving companions. Airbag switches are also available to control the passenger airbag. This is especially important if you need to seat children in front, or if you carry passengers who are especially likely to be severely injured by the force of an airbag. The federal government recognizes this danger and gives permission for those who fit these categories to have an airbag switch installed.

[online.education]

Automobile companies are designing cars that adjust seats automatically, and many trial cars have been already made and tested, but it seems that the actual implementation takes some time.

[Michelle]

On the one hand that sounds like a great idea, but any time you add more complexity to something you increase the chances of something breaking or malfunctioning. Hope they keep the manual adjustment features as well