Traffic safety of adapted cars for disabled drivers

Various adaptations of cars for disabled drivers are discussed on the basis of theoretical analyses of the driving task as related to driver information processing and information needs. Some adaptations may create problems possibly increasing the risk of dangerous traffic situations. Performing several control operations e.g. with one hand, the most extreme example being a 4-way joystick, may produce interference between braking, accelerator and steering functions. An analysis of crashes reported to insurance companies for a sample of adapted cars does not indicate elevated crash involvement. This finding is possibly explained by drivers compensating for a difficult driving task by driving more cautiously, slowing down, concentrating more on the traffic, and/or avoiding difficult driving conditions. There is a need for further studies to investigate differences in risk between various technical solutions for adapted cars.