Jun 25, 2022
A woman putting on her seat belt

Car safety features are an increasingly prominent focus in the automotive industry. Find out how you can ensure your mobility van is as secure and danger-free as possible.


1. Ramps and Lifts

Entering the van safely and without harm is the first important consideration. Mobility vehicles contain different customizations to achieve this goal. Wheelchair or scooter lifts are self-explanatory. The adaptive equipment lifts a wheelchair affixed to it into the van, often at the rear. Ramps, on the other hand, enable the wheelchair or scooter to be pushed or powered inside. They can be folded out.

The Toyota Sienna has become a trusted fixture in the mobility industry due to Toyota’s partnership with qualified adaptive device engineering professionals like BraunAbility. Engineers receive designs for every new model and adapt these features into powerful mobility customizations such as power fold-out ramps and power eight-way driver’s seats.


2. Power Seats

These adaptive devices are growing in popularity because they enable a driver to get behind the wheel in an efficient and safe way. Once an individual is moved into the seat, it can then be electronically controlled to move in a number of directions like up and down, back and forth, or sideways.

The seat provides solid back support and can be adjusted just like a power-adjustable seat. It’s also a good option for safety because it increases space for entering and exiting the van and therefore decreases chances of an accident during these processes.  


3. Docking Systems and Harnesses

If a driver or passenger remains in a wheelchair during the ride, securing the wheelchair (and the occupier) in place is vital for safety. The docking system is affixed to the floor of the vehicle and provides a means for keeping the wheelchair in place via hooks, pins, and other devices. Dash-mounted buttons enable the wheelchair user to control the system. These systems are easier to use than typical tie-down methods for securing chairs.

The person in the wheelchair might find maximum benefit from a wheelchair seat belt, a wheelchair positioning belt, and the possible addition of a chest harness if the person cannot hold their body upright. Wheelchair belts are available in a number of forms, including padded belts, clip belts, and buckle belts.  


4. Pre-Collision System

Any driver will benefit from a vehicle with a strong set of security features. Sophisticated warning systems are now commonplace in many vehicles’ safety suites. The strongest of these features will typically include audio and/or visual forward collision warnings and automatic emergency breaking (along with driver and passenger airbags) in the event you do not recognize the danger in time.

In addition, upgraded safety features will help keep you from drifting out of your lane or speeding. They might also detect objects that could pose a potential accident threat such as pedestrians or moving objects in your blind spot. The Toyota SafetySense package available on the Toyota Sienna provides many of these benefits.

Shop for safety and security with someone you trust. Contact Jerry’s Mobility for expert assistance in finding mobility vehicles fit for your needs.

Image via Pixabay