What Is Defensive Driving And How Can It Help Disabled Drivers?

Safety should be the number one priority for all disabled drivers. The unfortunate truth is that when traveling by road, there is always a risk of getting into a crash. Injury or even death are always possibilities when we travel in a vehicle, particularly if that vehicle is driven in an unsafe manner. But if we practice sensible, defensive driving, we can improve our chances of staying safe on the roads.

Tragically, over 38,000 people die in accidents on American roads each year. It is important to be aware of this grim statistic. By remaining fully cognizant of the dangers we face when driving, we can take the necessary precautions to mitigate those dangers.

Many of the crashes, injuries, and deaths that happen each year on American roads could be avoided if more people practiced safe, defensive driving. Far too many road accidents are caused by human error, negligence, a lack of concentration, tiredness, or aggressive driving.

Unfortunately, there will probably always be dangerous drivers who pose a threat to themselves and others. The best thing responsible drivers can focus on is reducing their vulnerability by driving safely and practicing defensive driving. Today, we will discuss defensive driving and how it can help disabled drivers.

What Is Defensive Driving?

Defensive driving is a type of driving intended as a defense against the dangerous actions of other road users and other hazards on the road such as bad weather. It is a driving style that is cautious and sensible, and that puts safety first.

Defensive driving involves a set of driving practices that are effective at defending the driver and their passengers from the dangers of road travel.

Dr Handicap - disabled drivers — *Image by* *Free-Photos* on *Pixabay: How does defensive driving help disabled drivers?*

Why Is Defensive Driving Important?

How can defensive driving benefit you and others, and why is it important? Simply, it is important because it keeps people safe. Road travel can be risky because other drivers often make mistakes and drive responsibly. Hazards such as bad weather and slippery surfaces can also make road travel dangerous. Defensive driving protects against these hazards.

What Are The Principles Of Defensive Driving?

So, how do you practice defensive driving? The main principles of defensive driving are:

Always sit high and alert behind the wheel, and keep your eyes on the road
Maintain full concentration
Minimize distractions
Maintain a safe distance from other vehicles
Slow down at all intersections and junctions
Be aware of any blind spots
Make sure other drivers can see you
Always assume other drivers may make mistakes

What Are The Benefits Of Defensive Driving?

So, how can defensive driving help disabled drivers? There are a lot of benefits to defensive driving. The main benefits are that it:

Keeps you safe
Keeps other drivers and pedestrians safe
Reduces costs of vehicle repair and insurance
Makes you a good example to other road users
Lowers your stress levels

What Are Some Examples Of Defensive Driving?

Some examples of defensive driving include:

Keeping a safe distance from other vehicles
Driving at a sensible speed and not going above the legal speed limit
Maintaining full concentration
Constantly checking your mirrors to be aware of your surroundings
Avoiding distractions from other passengers, loud music, podcasts, etc.

driver wearing seatbelt in car — *Image by* *freestocks-photos* on *Pix*abay: Practicing defensive driving benefits all road-users.

How Can You Get a Disabled Parking Permit?

If you have a disability but you have not yet gotten a disabled parking permit, it is a simple and quick process. The best way to get a disabled parking permit is to arrange a telemedicine consultation with a medical practitioner in your state through the Dr Handicap online clinic.

During a video consultation (which can be undertaken from the comfort of your own home) the medical practitioner will verify your disability. The qualifying conditions for a disabled parking permit include:

An inability to walk 200 feet without needing to stop to rest
Not being able to walk without aid from an assistive device
Heart disease
Lung disease
Any condition that necessitates the use of portable oxygen
Legal blindness
An arthritic, orthopedic, or neurological condition that hampers mobility

Once your disability has been verified, the medical practitioner will fill in the relevant sections of a disabled parking permit application form and email it directly to you. All you need to do is fill in the remaining sections and submit it to your local disabled parking authorities.

Featured image by Matheus Ferrero on Unsplash

6 Good Driving Habits That Every Driver Should Develop

How can you stay safe on the road? To drive safely, it helps to develop good driving habits each time you get behind the wheel. Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to get into bad habits while driving – but this can put the safety of yourself, your passengers, and other drivers at risk.

So what are good driving habits, exactly? Simply, these are actions, thoughts, or procedures that you follow each time you drive a car, with the aim of making your driving safe. It’s generally thought that new habits take about a month to form, so if you make an effort to practice good driving habits each day, they’ll soon become second nature.

Read on for six good driving habits that every driver should develop – plus a few that you should always avoid.

1. Focus on the Road

Wondering “How can I make my driving better?” Well, our most important driving tip is to always stay highly focused on the road. Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents, due to drivers paying attention to something else other than the road and what’s happening on it.

Always remain focused when behind the wheel. This means never texting or making calls while driving, listening to the radio at an appropriate volume, and keeping an eye on your mirrors and rear window, so you have a full picture of your surroundings.

If passengers, children, or pets are fussing or making noise in the car, pull over and handle the situation – but never try to calm your children or animals while still driving.

man sitting in car — *Image by Fortune Vieyra on Unsplash: Checking your mirrors frequently is a good driving habit to pick up.*

2. Check Your Mirrors

Your rearview and side mirrors are there to help you drive safely, so use them to your advantage. Whenever you get into the car, check your mirrors to see if their positioning is correct; they can easily get bumped, and you don’t want to have to adjust them while driving.

When you’re driving, especially when switching lanes, always check your mirrors first to make sure it’s safe. Keep in mind that all cars have a blind spot (an area you can’t see in your mirrors), so turn your head as well to make sure it’s absolutely safe before turning or merging.

3. Look After Your Car

Your car is a complex and expensive machine, so make sure it’s always running its best with regular serving and oil changes.

You might want to learn some driving basics to make things easier in an emergency. So what basic skills should all drivers have? To start, it can be helpful to know how to change a tire, how to set up flares, and how to call for help in an emergency. Otherwise, always make sure you have a roadside assistance membership so you can call for help at any time.

4. Take Frequent Breaks

Heading out on a long road trip? If so, remember to take frequent breaks. Driving when tired can lead to accidents, so stay fresh by stopping for a stretch and some fresh air every two hours or so.

Breaks can be a good opportunity to look at your map, work out where you’re going, and think about the parking situation at your destination. If you qualify for a disabled parking permit, make sure you always have it with you so it’s easy to access parking.

5. Use Your Turn Signals

It seems obvious, but many drivers neglect to use their turn signals. If you don’t use your signals before turning left or right or changing lanes, other drivers on the road don’t know what you’re planning.

This can be incredibly dangerous, so always get into the habit of indicating well before you plan to turn.

6. Slow Down

Speed can be a killer on the roads. Even if you’re running late, always drive the speed limit. If the roads are wet or visibility is poor, it’s a good idea to slow down even more.

Going the speed limit means you’ll not only avoid getting a ticket, but you’ll arrive safely at your destination.

man showing bad driving habits using phone while driving — *Image by Alexandre Boucher on Unsplash: What are some bad driving habits? Texting and driving is one of the worst.*

Bad Habits to Avoid

Now that you know how to drive safely, what are some bad driving habits to avoid? Firstly, to stay safe, never text or browse on your phone while driving – it can quickly cause a crash.

You’ll also want to avoid driving while angry. If you’re already feeling mad or upset, you’re not likely to concentrate on your driving, and you might even experience aggression known as road rage. Road rage can make it easy to do something you’ll regret, such as acting negatively towards another driver or making reckless choices behind the wheel.

When driving, always avoid using alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication that you know will make you tired or groggy. If you’re in a position where you’re no longer able to drive, call a cab or rideshare service, ask a friend for a ride, or wait a few hours until it’s safe to drive.

Are you ready to improve your driving? If so, make an effort to develop good driving habits, starting with the tips outlined above. They can help you become a more confident and responsible driver, keeping you and your passengers safe, happy, and secure while on the road.

Featured image by Jan Baborak on Unsplash

Valet Parking And COVID: Everything You Need To Know To Stay Safe

Valet parking can be super convenient. It allows you to relax and not worry about finding a parking space during busy times in busy locations. At hotels, restaurants, and casinos, being able to avail of valet parking means you can spend more time enjoying yourself and less time searching for a parking space. Having your vehicle parked by a valet can be quite the luxury!

As a disabled driver, you benefit from valet parking because it means you can exit your vehicle directly in front of your destination and therefore have less distance to cover. Valet parking can make a disabled driver’s life a lot easier. But during the COVID pandemic, when social distancing is being used to prevent the spread of infection, is valet parking a safe option? While valet parking is helpful and convenient, could it also be risky during the coronavirus pandemic?

Today we will discuss valet parking and COVID, detailing everything you need to know to stay safe.

What Is Valet Parking?

Valet parking is when an attendant (i.e. a valet) takes your vehicle and parks it for you. The valet will give you a ticket; when you need your vehicle again you show the ticket and it will be returned to you.

Valet parking exists to save you the bother of searching for a parking space. It is most typically offered by businesses to their customers, and is common at restaurants, hotels, casinos, and stores.

Dr Handicap - valet — *Image by* *Olichel* on *Pixabay: Should I valet park during coronavirus?*

What Are The Benefits Of Using Valet Parking?

The benefits of using valet parking are:

Time saving
Less hassle to find a parking space
Less distance to walk from vehicle to destination

The benefits to a business of offering valet parking include:

Fitting more customers in by parking vehicles efficiently
Attracting more customers by offering added convenience

Can I Use Valet Parking With A Disabled Parking Permit?

You can avail of valet parking services if you have a disabled parking permit. In fact, using a valet parking service can be even better than using a disabled parking space in that it usually offers the absolute shortest distance to travel between your vehicle and your destination.

What Are The Qualifying Conditions For A Disabled Parking Permit?

Not every business offers valet parking, so getting a disabled parking permit is still a very good idea. The qualifying conditions for a disabled parking permit are:

Not being able to walk 200 feet without needing to stop to rest
Any condition that impairs mobility to the extent that the use of a walking aid such as a wheelchair, prosthetic device, cane, or brace is required
Heart disease
Lung disease
An orthopedic, neurological, or arthritic condition that seriously impairs mobility
Legal blindness

Valet Parking And COVID

Knowing how to park safely during the COVID-19 pandemic is crucial because the disease is extremely contagious. So, is valet parking safe during COVID? Yes, provided that the valet service implements COVID safety measures.

What COVID Safety Measures Have Valet Parking Services Been Putting In Place?

Wondering “How can I find COVID-safe valet parking?” The best way to guarantee COVID-safe valet parking is to call ahead and ensure the business in question has strict hygiene and safety protocols in place.

To stay COVID-safe, all valets must:

Complete a self-screening survey every day
Wear disposable surgical masks and disposable gloves while working
Properly dispose of PPE
Avoid handshakes
Maintain social distancing
Sanitize frequently touched surfaces
Wash hands per CDC guidelines
Use hand sanitizer
Follow SAFEPARK sanitization guidelines from the National Parking Association

Is Valet Parking A Higher-Risk Option During The Pandemic?

Valet parking is higher risk during the pandemic because COVID is a contagious disease, and if proper safety measures are not taken, a valet could pass infection on to their customers (or vice versa).

Should I Valet Park During Coronavirus?

If the proper COVID safety measures are taken by both driver and valet, it is safe to use valet parking during coronavirus.

Dr Handicap - parking lot — *Image by Jordan Graff* *on Unsplash: Is valet parking safe during COVID?*

What Can Disabled Drivers Do To Minimize Risk When Using Valet Parking?

When you are using valet parking during coronavirus, you can minimize risk of passing on or contracting COVID by:

Maintaining social distancing
Wearing a face mask
Sanitizing your hands
Sanitizing frequently touched surfaces in your vehicle

How Can You Get A Disabled Parking Permit?

The best way to get a disabled parking permit is to arrange a telemedicine consultation with a medical professional through the Dr. Handicap online clinic. Once your disability has been verified by the examining medical professional, they will complete the relevant sections of the DMV disabled parking application form, sign it, and email it directly to you.

Featured image by Paul Volkmer on Unsplash

Driving And Cellphones: The Dangers And The Solutions

Driving and cellphones are a troublesome combination. Only twenty years ago, cellphones were extremely rare and comically cumbersome machines. But these days, if you do not have a cellphone, you are in a vanishingly rare minority. They’re everywhere, and most people spend a good chunk of their waking hours staring at their cellphone screen.

Cellphones have brought a lot of good to the world. They benefit people’s lives in many ways; today, most details of a person’s life are monitored and organized by their phone. But they do have their detractors. People say that cellphone usage has become so constant in the lives of most people that in-person social interactions have dried up and people have become more isolated and lonely. Cellphones becoming so ubiquitous has its pros and cons, but the value or harm that a person’s cellphone usage brings to their lives surely depends on how they use their phone.

One way that cellphone usage can cause enormous harm is if they use their phone while driving. Using a cellphone while driving can have disastrous, tragic consequences for the cellphone user and other road users that come into contact with them. Read on for all you need to know about driving and cellphones, and why they can be such a dangerous combination.

Dr Handicap - vehicle accident — *Image by* *PublicDomainPictures* on *Pixabay: What are the dangers of using a cellphone while driving?*

What Are The Dangers Of Using A Cellphone While Driving?

Using a cellphone while driving disrupts a driver’s concentration and focus. The resulting distracted driving makes having a crash considerably more likely. Studies have shown that using a cellphone while driving increase the likelihood of getting into a crash by an enormous 400%!

On average, nine people are killed and 1,000 are injured on American roads every day due to distracted driving. A large amount of this distraction is caused by using a cellphone while behind the wheel.

What Are The Risks Of Using A Cellphone For Disabled Drivers?

Disabled drivers face all the same risks if they use a cellphone while driving. For some disabled drivers who have a lot of adaptive driving equipment installed in their vehicle that they need to operate and monitor, distraction from a cellphone may even be more problematic.

Can I Answer My Phone While Driving?

It is very dangerous to answer a handheld cellphone while driving. The vast majority of US states have banned handheld cellphone usage while driving. Texting while driving is also illegal in almost every state, and even in the tiny minority of states that have not yet made handheld cellphone usage while driving illegal, we strongly advise that you do not do it.

You can answer your phone while driving if it is connected to a hands-free device and you are over 18.

Solutions To Stop Cellphone Use While Driving

Here are some suggestions for avoiding cellphone use entirely while driving.

Use apps that detect when your vehicle is moving and prevent your phone from receiving calls and texts, such as AT&T DriveMode
Use settings that block your cellphone’s function while in the car
Set your phone to drive mode if it is available
Put your cellphone on silent mode
Put your cellphone out of reach while driving
Turn your cellphone off while driving
Use a separate GPS device so you don’t have to use your cellphone for navigation

Cellphone Safety Tips While Driving

Here are some suggestions for using a cellphone safely while driving.

Use a hands-free device
Only use hands-free when in situations where a conversation won’t cause a dangerous distraction

Disabled Parking - car conversion — *Image by* *StockSnap* on *Pixabay: What are the solutions to stop cellphone use while driving?*

How To Get A Disabled Parking Permit

Getting a disabled parking permit can bring huge improvements to a disabled driver’s quality of life. The qualifying conditions for a disabled permit vary slightly state by state, but the most common qualifying conditions are:

Not being able to walk 200 feet without needing to stop to rest
Any condition that impairs mobility to the extent that the use of a walking aid such as a wheelchair, brace, or cane is required.
Lung disease
Heart disease
Legal blindness
An orthopedic, neurological, or arthritic condition that impairs mobility

The best way to apply for a permit is to arrange an online consultation with a medical professional through Dr. Handicap. Once your condition has been verified, your DMV application form will be filled out by the medical professional, and you’ll be on your way to accessing more convenient parking wherever you go.

Featured image by Pexels on Pixabay

How Disabled EV Drivers Can Make Sure They Get The Most Out Of Their Electric Car

Electric cars are surging in popularity because of all the benefits they offer. Aside from the fact that drivers no longer have to pay for gas, electric vehicles are much cleaner for the environment and can cut a person’s carbon footprint significantly.

When it comes to disabled drivers, it may be hard to determine what electric car if any will be good enough to accommodate their needs. There are specific types of electric cars that are more suitable than others, such as the Toyota Prius or the Volkswagen e-Golf. These types of vehicles offer more than enough features for those with disabilities, such as being easier to drive when it comes to handling, ample room and storage space, and having higher safety ratings than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. But how can disabled EV drivers make the most out of their vehicle?

Dr Handicap - electric vehicle charging station — *Image by Ernest Ojeh on Unsplash: EV charging for persons with disabilities can be easier than filling up a traditional car with gasoline.*

Electric vehicles for disabled drivers

Choosing the right electric car is the first step in getting environmentally friendly on the road with a disability. One of the biggest benefits of electric vehicles for disabled drivers is that they are all automatic. There is no clutch or gears to deal with, and that makes it a seamless transition from an automatic gas-powered vehicle.

Many electric cars are also being made similar to their gas-powered counterparts when it comes to size and storage capabilities. This means that any modifications a person may need to make to their car could easily be done with a new electric vehicle.

For those who require more space, electric vehicles such as the Kia Soul EV and the Nissan E-NV200 Combi are great options to choose from. The Nissan E-NV200 Combi can be ordered with seven seats that are fully folding. This provides ample room for those who may need to bring along their wheelchair or other large cargo.

Handicap EV parking

The demand for electric vehicle parking has been growing exponentially in the last few years because of the rise of the use of electric cars. As more and more people are purchasing these environmentally friendly vehicles, more places are having to fill the demand for electric vehicle parking stations.

One discrepancy in those spaces, though, is accessible EV parking stations. In many places in the United States, electric vehicle charging stations have been made accessible for those with disabilities.

According to a report by the International Parking and Mobility Institute, there are no national standard when it comes to electric vehicle parking spots and charging stations for those with disabilities. There are, however, some guidelines:

Accessible spaces at EV charging stations don’t count towards the parking facility minimum
Charging stations are required to have space allotted for a person in a wheelchair
Typical ADA reach range and turning radius requirements are the standard for accessing the equipment
EV charging spots should be created in the same way as other ADA parking spaces

These guidelines are there to ensure that those with disabilities can have easy access to charging stations wherever they are.

Dr Handicap - person driving car — *Image by CardMapr on Unsplash: Electric vehicles are easier to drive for people with disabilities, making them a great car choice.*

Getting the most out of your electric vehicle

To get the most out of your electric vehicle, you will want to utilize all the perks it has to offer. For example, if you use your car for daily driving, it may be a good idea to ensure that you charge the battery at your home base charger. This will keep you from needing to find an accessible spot while out and about.

Electric vehicles are also cheaper on costs, as mentioned above. This can make your life easier because you can say goodbye to the gas pumps and certain regular maintenance costs that come with traditional cars. By switching to an electric vehicle, you could save thousands of dollars per year, which can allow you to live more freely with your disability, financially speaking. It may also free up some cash to help add more modifications to your vehicle if you need or want them.

Driving an electric vehicle isn’t just good for people with disabilities – everyone could benefit from driving a more environmentally friendly vehicle. However, those with disabilities can particularly enjoy the smoother rise, easier handling, lower costs, and ease of charging when they buy an electric vehicle.

Featured image by Andrew Roberts on Unsplash