Steering wheel turning knob
- Thread starter Rusty1
- Start date
- Mar 14, 2005
- 9,986
- 830
- 30,935
I don't know whether they are legal or not, but even if they are, I don't think they are a good idea. You could inadvertently catch the knob in an emergency and rap your knuckles in the process.
I find that by placing the palm of my hand on the rim I can rotate the steering wheel with the flat of my hand quite as quickly as if I were using a knob.
I find that by placing the palm of my hand on the rim I can rotate the steering wheel with the flat of my hand quite as quickly as if I were using a knob.
i think they are legal,my uncle use to use one in his audi before we bought the van off him as hes 72 now and after long journeys his wrists used to ache.
i started driving tractors on our farm when i was 13 so i always drive with the palm of my hand anyway out of habit as with tractors etc going over big pot holes etc the wheels can quickly go in one direction so if your holding the wheel as you should then it can snap your wrists
i started driving tractors on our farm when i was 13 so i always drive with the palm of my hand anyway out of habit as with tractors etc going over big pot holes etc the wheels can quickly go in one direction so if your holding the wheel as you should then it can snap your wrists
I think that Ihaveseenthese in a shop selling diabled kit. i am now a bit of an autrhority on this subject as i recently suffered a big stroke. bought brand new van in november trhen stroke happened so working hard to get fit for van. cannot drive for around 12months so gladwife can tow van. wheelchair has low noseweight limit so that is anonstarter.
Rod One you are quite correct. Many years ago I had a disabled boyfriend (who had only one arm) and he had one of these fitted. He found driving no difficulty.
I've used a steering wheel knob for about ywenty years now and find a great aid to reversing, and very relaxing in normal driving. As for it being legal, why would it not be?
to be fair it would only impail your chest in an accident if you were not wearing a seat belt so thats up to the driver in my opinion
I use one on my Laguna at present as I'm waiting for my operation (this friday)for a botched arthritis op on my shoulder.
However, they are illegal unless the driver is declared disabled and the approoved type spinner has been fitted by an approoved garage.
So watch your insurance company duck and dive out of a claim if you fit a dodgy one your self.
Mine is a 8 Ball pool ball, which clamps to the rim of the wheel. I have fitted it so that the ball is on the inner side of the rim, thus enabling normal use of the wheel. I only use mine for tight turns like parking, but there is a tendancey to use it for all driving, which I conciously try to avoid.
I would of thought that I could of been declared disabled and of been eligable for the badge, but in spite of arthritis in both shoulders, elbows and a compressed disc requiring a fussion, I can still walk more than 100 metres so I don't qualify.!!??
Of coarse I could get an electric buggy and wreak havoc on the pavements without an assessment for eligability!!
Years ago I had a T shirt saying "keep death off the roads, drive on the pavements", how true that sounds today.
I'm not proud that i have to flout the law to be comfortable driving, but I don't want to be dependant on others either, all I want is to be able to keep on caravanning.
Steve L.
However, they are illegal unless the driver is declared disabled and the approoved type spinner has been fitted by an approoved garage.
So watch your insurance company duck and dive out of a claim if you fit a dodgy one your self.
Mine is a 8 Ball pool ball, which clamps to the rim of the wheel. I have fitted it so that the ball is on the inner side of the rim, thus enabling normal use of the wheel. I only use mine for tight turns like parking, but there is a tendancey to use it for all driving, which I conciously try to avoid.
I would of thought that I could of been declared disabled and of been eligable for the badge, but in spite of arthritis in both shoulders, elbows and a compressed disc requiring a fussion, I can still walk more than 100 metres so I don't qualify.!!??
Of coarse I could get an electric buggy and wreak havoc on the pavements without an assessment for eligability!!
Years ago I had a T shirt saying "keep death off the roads, drive on the pavements", how true that sounds today.
I'm not proud that i have to flout the law to be comfortable driving, but I don't want to be dependant on others either, all I want is to be able to keep on caravanning.
Steve L.
Steve, where did you get your info re only being legal for disabaled mate? these devices are used almost universally on trucks. I've heard this argument so many times, even to the extent that one man refused to ride in my car, saying that it was illegal, but no-one has ever provided proof.
I can't prove otherwise, but my car goes for MOT every year with the knob attached, and it has never raised comment.
If they are legal only for the disabled, does this mean that after Herself has driven the car, I would have to go a appointed agent to have it removed, then back again when she wanted to drive again? Obviously not practical, but as we both drive the car, what do I do?
I can't prove otherwise, but my car goes for MOT every year with the knob attached, and it has never raised comment.
If they are legal only for the disabled, does this mean that after Herself has driven the car, I would have to go a appointed agent to have it removed, then back again when she wanted to drive again? Obviously not practical, but as we both drive the car, what do I do?
They are universally used on trucks,but are frowned up on by VOSA to the point were an HGV or LGV wont pass annual test with one fitted.Easily understandable why.It could be said if its a non compliance to MOT standard its illegal.
I really can not see the benefit of these in normal day to day driving, unless the driver has a disabillity and they help. I drive large agricultural tractors and never use a steering wheel knob even if fitted. The only exception is if I'm using a loader tractor which requires alot of steering work. I have seen them fitted on a number of trucks but not sure of the legal side.
Your correct there Ray.
As a spinner is an adaption it should be declared to the insurance company, who then will probably want to see proof by way of a disablement assessment form, that there is a medical requirement for the fitment.
Emmerson, you must have a friendly MOT inspector at your station. Even the spinners fitted to trucks are none compliant during a VOSA vehicle mot test, the only exemption being a vehicle registered and taxed as disabled.
To be quite honest I've been uing mine for a couple of years and have removed it for the MOT test. I have a need via my current medical condition to use one purely for tight turns IE parking and small roundabouts, every where else I do try to use both hands on the steering wheel. Fortunately or otherwise i have not been spot checked by the boys in blue, but I guess that unless they have swallowed the VOSA regulation book chapter and verse, I will get away with it.
I would say though that people must be fully aware that this attatchment and it's use is a very grey area and insurance companies love grey areas when it comes to coughing up for a claim.
I've already ststed the legal side of the vehicle adaption guidelines for disabled vehicles so no need to reitterate that one.
I'm not against spinners because they do have their place, but one does have to understand the can of worms they are opening due to having one.
On a related note. Able bodied people need to be acutely aware of what adaptions are fitted to disabled cars should they be asked to drive one.
My niece is disabled and her car is an automatic fitted with a spinner, indicator stalk on right side and a left foot accelerator. My sister-in-law changed the brake pads on the car and wanted to test the brakes before handing the car back. However not being used to a left foot throttle,or an automatic car, when the car lurched forward she instinctively put her feet on clutch and brake as she thought!!! Because the new brake pads had not been bedded in and the fact that she had her foot flat to the floor on the left foot throttle pedal which is in the spot where we normally find the clutch pedal, the car careered forward demolishing three garden fences befor coming to rest inches from a house wall.
By a miracle no one was hurt but I had to make identical picket fences for the gardens and re-inspect the car for damage before my neice could drive it as her aunt by now was too shocked to drive.
My niece's car is only a 1.4 litre peugeot 206, just imagine what you could achieve in a similarly adapted mondeo for instance. So driving any adapted car is to be done with a clear knowledge of what the adaptions are. Even with a simple spinner on the steering wheel you can turn the car 4 times faster/sharper/harder that standard.
So it's upto you to decide if you realy want one and if all those who drive your car normally can respect and understand the use of the adaption.
Steve L.
As a spinner is an adaption it should be declared to the insurance company, who then will probably want to see proof by way of a disablement assessment form, that there is a medical requirement for the fitment.
Emmerson, you must have a friendly MOT inspector at your station. Even the spinners fitted to trucks are none compliant during a VOSA vehicle mot test, the only exemption being a vehicle registered and taxed as disabled.
To be quite honest I've been uing mine for a couple of years and have removed it for the MOT test. I have a need via my current medical condition to use one purely for tight turns IE parking and small roundabouts, every where else I do try to use both hands on the steering wheel. Fortunately or otherwise i have not been spot checked by the boys in blue, but I guess that unless they have swallowed the VOSA regulation book chapter and verse, I will get away with it.
I would say though that people must be fully aware that this attatchment and it's use is a very grey area and insurance companies love grey areas when it comes to coughing up for a claim.
I've already ststed the legal side of the vehicle adaption guidelines for disabled vehicles so no need to reitterate that one.
I'm not against spinners because they do have their place, but one does have to understand the can of worms they are opening due to having one.
On a related note. Able bodied people need to be acutely aware of what adaptions are fitted to disabled cars should they be asked to drive one.
My niece is disabled and her car is an automatic fitted with a spinner, indicator stalk on right side and a left foot accelerator. My sister-in-law changed the brake pads on the car and wanted to test the brakes before handing the car back. However not being used to a left foot throttle,or an automatic car, when the car lurched forward she instinctively put her feet on clutch and brake as she thought!!! Because the new brake pads had not been bedded in and the fact that she had her foot flat to the floor on the left foot throttle pedal which is in the spot where we normally find the clutch pedal, the car careered forward demolishing three garden fences befor coming to rest inches from a house wall.
By a miracle no one was hurt but I had to make identical picket fences for the gardens and re-inspect the car for damage before my neice could drive it as her aunt by now was too shocked to drive.
My niece's car is only a 1.4 litre peugeot 206, just imagine what you could achieve in a similarly adapted mondeo for instance. So driving any adapted car is to be done with a clear knowledge of what the adaptions are. Even with a simple spinner on the steering wheel you can turn the car 4 times faster/sharper/harder that standard.
So it's upto you to decide if you realy want one and if all those who drive your car normally can respect and understand the use of the adaption.
Steve L.
There is nothing in the VOSA testers manual to lead to a test failure if a spinner is fitted. An LGV vehicle will pass the MOT with one fitted. From a safety point of veiw, good ones are spring loaded and will fold away from you in the event of an accident.
Hi Steve. If I accept what you say, it still does not answer my question re both Herself (disabled) and me (able-bodied) driving the same car.Herself needs the knob due to weak wrists, I just like to use it. Do I have to have it removed when I'm driving, and have it re-fitted for Herself to drive? Obviously totally impractical, so what are we to do?
I have yet to see any official documentation telling me that the knob is illegal for able-bodied drivers.
I have yet to see any official documentation telling me that the knob is illegal for able-bodied drivers.
PS to the above.
I've just checked with a friendly copper. As far as he knows, there is no legislation to prevent the use of these devices, but he will look into it further.
I've just checked with a friendly copper. As far as he knows, there is no legislation to prevent the use of these devices, but he will look into it further.
Facebook
Twitter