driving a car

[Pussycat1]

Ihave stopped driving my manual car. I have lost confidence as feet don’t always hit the pedals properly. I am wondering those who still drive is anautomatic car easier and safer or not.

I feel it is further loss of independence

Thanks Kate

[D1DG3]

Hi,

This happened to me kept missing pedals until one day i stalled the car. I looked down at my feet and both pointing inwards across all pedals, this is what lead to my diagnoses of FA. I thought then i need to let DVLA know of FA, downloaded off their website forms for Neurological conditions. Sent them off, in the post a questionnaire, i remember one question can i drive with adaption, replied basically no idea anyway sent that off. A letter came back inviting me to do a test for adaptions, the test centre knew which ones i needed by the answers to some questions. Passed everything needed to carry on driving even tested driving with hand controls. Have been driving this way since 2008, have had motability cars since then. I recommend anyone to look into being able to continue to drive before surrendering their driving license. I wish you continued driving 😊

[dansybelle]

I switched to driving automatics about 10 yrs ago. I’m now starting to struggle so am investigating getting my driving assessed and perhaps hand controls. I think you probably have a good few driving years left in you 👍

[wobblybee]

My car is an automatic….I loved driving it.

No problems with controls…it was my eyes.

I had surgery which stopped double vision…and then began to realise I had a problem with perception of depth and spatial awareness…and I couldn’t drive at night.

It became more stressful than a pleasure…so now I’m a passenger.

[Pussycat1]

thanks for your replies, I will see if I can book a driving assessment and try an automatic

[7151]

Luckily i can still drive but have lost confiance in drivng in thé dark and up motorways so i dont

[Sea_]

I got an assessment 8 months after diagnosis and I advised dvla and drive an automatic not as much to concentrate on😀

When I go to London in June I’ll ask again about it as saying I might have staccatic intrusion so we’ll see pardon the pun

Try an automatic and disability action do lessons if you need a confidence boost x

[Cuds]

Hi,Like many above I swapped to an automatic. Not only did this help with the foot control not but also helped concentration and reduces fatigue whilst driving. I also find using the cruise control features and speed limiter very helpful. Because Friedreichs is specifically mentioned in the DVLA advice I informed them and now have to have a license review every 3 years + but it means my insurance is valid. Look at all the options from the hood advice above. Maintaining your independence with a car will help your mental well-being. Good luck!

[viv112]

I have CANVAS, cerebella ataxia with neuropathy vestibular areflexia syndrome. I gave up driving my automatic car 2 years ago because of the same problems as yourself with using the accelerator and brakes. I could no longer go out when it was dark and around the same time as the neuropathy in my feet got worse I started feeling dizzier. I could only walk short distances with a stick and preferred to use a walker which was too heavy for me to lift in and out of the car. I lost my confidence in going out alone. I was afraid of falling and after spending over 15hrs in A and E waiting to be seen after a fall I decide to put safety first. Yes, it has been devastating to lose my freedom to just get in the car and go out on my own, and I’m unable to use public transport. Fortunately my husband drives and we go out together. But your safety is a priority, to protect yourself and other road users.

[PatsyIpswich]

I had hand controls fitted to my car which worked well for a few years. I stopped driving when hubby retired. Two cars was expensive.