Injured - Can I still drive?

[GMS 500]

Serious Question... (I posted this on the wrong forum before)

I've hurt my right shoulder at the weekend.
Ligament damage (hurts like hell!) so I can't actually reach the steering wheel with both hands at the moment...

However, the car I run around in is an Automatic...

My Doctor and also my Physio said I might want to consider "whether it's safe to be driving", but offered no advice on whether it's against the law or a problem for insurance etc...

Anyone got any experience here?

P.S. Injury caused by falling over on the dance floor at a wedding...
I'm claiming it as a 'professional sporting injury' - I can be quite some dancer when I'm in the zone...

[Sheriff JWPepper]

Don't do it, you're putting yourself & everyone at a completely unnecessary risk.

Imagine if you did have an incident - the BiBs would throw the book at you and you're insurance company wouldn't be interested in the least.

[imbecile]

If your left arm is ok, get one of those clip on ball things (like lorry drivers use) and then you'll have no problem steering safely with one hand, and will easily remain in control of the vehicle.

I have one lying around somewhere that I used to use for autotesting if you fancy sending me an SAE, but they're only about a tenner anyway.

[drfrank]

Whilst common sense would suggest not to drive and take a hugely unecessary risk, a fairly recent paper in The British Journal of Plastic Surgery where several insurance companies were contacted and asked if they would insure drivers wearing hand splints etc found that many insurers did not have a definite policy on the topic.

I am constantly asked by patients if they can drive with a splint/pop cast on following hand injuries and I always tell them not to. If they persist in asking I tell them to speak to their insurance company directly.

My personal stand point is why take the risk !! Can you be in full control of your vehicle should you need to take evasive action....from the sounds of it you probably cannot and continuing to drive could be deemed irresponsible.

[WildCat]

GMS 500 said:

Serious Question... (I posted this on the wrong forum before)

I've hurt my right shoulder at the weekend.

Are you right or left handed? It can make a difference as to how you "feel" the car with left hand doing all the work.

GMS 500 said:

Ligament damage (hurts like hell!) so I can't actually reach the steering wheel with both hands at the moment...

The pain could affect concentration. I take it not severe enough to warrant a plaster cast/sling as you probably dislocate the shoulder in the fall. Reduce the swellings with ice pack. Your physio should manipulate the "humerus or upper arm bone into proper position to help remedy und promote the healing. If persistent - ask for injection of "corticosteroid"
Take pain killer as well to reduce the inflammation. It heal with time unfortunately If it hurt like hell - I would use taxi or get member of family to drive you until it heal up.

Regardless of whether

GMS 500 said:

However, the car I run around in is an Automatic...

Sorry. I think you should listen to doctor und your body. Do not take a risk.

Wait. It will heal more quickly if you are patient. Your body ist a temple really. Look after it. It then look after you.

That not "lentilist talk" That talk of trained medic originally. I moved into research big-time after my own incident from hell caused by driver who was poorly but who used baddest judgement one day.

GMS 500 said:

My Doctor and also my Physio said I might want to consider "whether it's safe to be driving", but offered no advice on whether it's against the law or a problem for insurance etc...

It could affect if you have accident which could be attributable to this injury in terms of reduced pay out if you the victim.
Insurers are sharks.

A BiB might use the "wrong kind of discretion" if you cause incident because of this. You are supposed to be the "manager making biggest decisions when driving your car". I am sure even liebster Von would agree here

GMS 500 said:

Anyone got any experience here?

No. Because I will not chance taking control of my lovely "boy toys" if not feeling well enough to do so. I respect their power very much.

I also love their macho-shiny sleek und well maintained bodies too (I lovingly look after them in rota according to their "work out" each weekend Cars are right sassy! )

GMS 500 said:

P.S. Injury caused by falling over on the dance floor at a wedding...
I'm claiming it as a 'professional sporting injury' - I can be quite some dancer when I'm in the zone...

Mad Doc und self enjoy dancing. We are told we do quite a "saucy tango". But I agree with the saying that dancing with your mate ist like sex. It also ..



..

perhaps some kittens should be called "Tango und Quickest Step"

Edited by WildCat on Tuesday 17th July 20:04

[GMS 500]

It's certainly an interesting scenario...
I agree with Sherrif that the insurance company would be disgusted if they were aware of the problem. However, it's not the type of thing they'd know about as my arm isn't in a sling (to prevent it from seizing up).

I normally cycle to work but unfortunately my shoulder definately prevents me from doing this...

I clearly recognise the disabling effect my arm will have on my driving (hence me posting on this forum), but would expect to be more cautious accordingly. I'm not sure it's a major problem.

I'm sure I've seen one armed people in cars before - wonder what modifications they've had done?

[GMS 500]

WildCat said:

Are you right or left handed? It can make a difference as to how you "feel" the car with left hand doing all the work.

Left handed, I agree this helps me 'feel' more confident...
(this could be percieved as a bad thing in this situation)

[imbecile]

We let cripples (I think that's the politically correct term du jour) with only one arm, no legs ride motorbikes ffs.

There's no reason at all that one would have difficulty controlling a car adequetely and safely with one hand, especially with the device I mentioned previously.

[Sogra]

Don’t ask anybody. If you ask you must consider you may not be fit to drive. You need to have control of the car at all times; this does not require both arms. You should be able to safely complete all manoeuvres, shoulder checks etc. You only have to tell DVLA if an injury is likely to be permanent and then only certain ones, you can check on the website, likewise the same with insurance. I had my left arm crushed four years ago and had a driving assessment at a hospital (£80) to say I was fit to drive. The report took 3 months to come. I did this because I asked the Doctor and he wouldn’t say I could which wasn’t good enough for work. Very few people will say it is okay because of the implications of it going wrong. I ended up using an auto with a small adaptor (£5) on the steering wheel that allowed me to drive, a bit like you see on buses and trucks (ball shaped). Providing you can still use indicators this is all you need. There is a company who makes an adaptor so you can use on switch on the wheel, (Logison) I think. There are lots of people with disabilities that drive. I have even seen examples of registerd blind people driving (they still have some vision and can past the test. If you advise DVLA you then have to prove you are okay to drive. The correct way would be to get assesed first and then tell them if you must. Clatterbridge hospital on the Wirral in Merseyside did my test, its where people have their driving assesed after strokes, limb loss etc.

Sogra

[WildCat]

GMS 500 said:

WildCat said:

Are you right or left handed? It can make a difference as to how you "feel" the car with left hand doing all the work.

Left handed, I agree this helps me 'feel' more confident...
(this could be percieved as a bad thing in this situation)

Not necessarily. I drive on continent a lot. I learn to drive using right hand to change gear I admit to allow hand to rest on gear stick when in rapid change ups It not matter whether LH or RH drive to me I admit I prefer to alternate between pull-push/rotational/fixed steer but I can do the one handed "taxi driver style" if situation warrant such

I note you cycle but admit the situation compromise safety on bicycle. You may be OK in car... but I still think to listen to body. Your body? Your brain equates to central management box monitor in car. It fire up everything in engine. If your shoulder tell your brain it really cannot cope .. then your brain should listen to it.

I am not really bantering when I say we are a kind of "human machine" I think we humans or any life form are more intricate than anything we create. I am always in awe of this human machine of flesh und blood which adapt to most situations. I am like Professor Ray Winstone in that I marvel each day at what this "human machine" can do. But it still frail. It need care/servicing/TLC. I think each "human machine" should be able to recognise its own limits. Some human machines are like "high performance cars" Others are more like Reliant Robins in terms of power. I think we should at least accept our human limits und if not "on song" - keep out of choir :wink:

[davido140]

I stopped driving when I broke my collarbone (left shoulder) for about 4-5 weeks until it was comfortable to change gear again.

when I messed up my ankle (torn ligaments and stuff, left foot, I couldnt walk!) I rented an auto. I explained the situation to the rental firm they saw me come into the rental office to collect the car on crutches and they didnt have a problem at all.