Concern Over Safety Of Three Wheeled Invalid Cars

Anglia Television: Interview with Douglas Campbell, CEO of the Disabled Drivers Association, about concerns regarding the safety of three wheeled 'Invacars' designed for disabled drivers.

Close up of the number plate on the back of the three wheeled Invacar followed by a shot of it backing and driving down the road. Interview with Douglas Campbell, CEO of the Disabled Drivers Association, who says that while driving the car he felt very vulnerable to accidents that were beyond a driver’s control. There is little protection from the fibreglass body work in the event of the car rolling over or somebody crashing into you. He talks about his own accident in the car, when hitting a pothole caused it to roll over and block the only door, leaving him trapped. He points out the safety flaws of the car, such as the controls not being anywhere near modern safety standards. Shot of Ashwellthorpe Hall and a group of disabled people sitting in the front garden. Close ups of the interior and exterior of a four wheeled car. Close up of a sign in the rear window reading ‘Disabled.’ Douglas Campbell talks about the disadvantages disabled mothers face as they will no longer be allowed a four wheeled car but will only get a three wheeler. This means that they won’t be able to drive their children in the car. He feels that there has been a cover up of the facts and figures regarding the three wheeled cars. He says that the government has given misleading information about the cars and hedged questions regarding their safety. He explains how figures suggest that drivers who are disabled and drive four wheeled cars are less likely to have an accident than non-disabled people who drive. He claims that this shows how unsafe the three wheeled cars are as disabled people are now 4 times more likely to have an accident whilst driving them.

Keywords

Cars; Disabled People; Disability; Disability Aids; Driving; Invacar; Motor Cars; Safety; Transport;

Background Information

For ten years Douglas Campbell was CEO of The Disabled Drivers’ Association. Douglas was appointed OBE in 2002 for services to the mobility of disabled people.