As a senior driver, you need to make sensible choices when you’re out hunting for your new car. Senior drivers are looked upon by the younger generation as more mature and wise, and that image should ideally reflect in their vehicles as well. Not only that, there are many features tailor-made for senior drivers being incorporated in cars today, to make their car shopping process hassle free.
Here is a list of must-have senior-friendly car features that are sure to give you a perfect ride.
Wide-angle Mirrors
Most senior drivers experience diminished mobility in their upper torso over the years. Some cars incorporate wide-angle wing and rearview mirrors, offering a bigger field of view without having to move around to get the perfect angle. These mirrors are an essential feature to have in your new car, so you can relax while driving and still be aware of your surroundings at all times, without any blind spots.
Seats with Lumbar Support
Some cars come equipped with squishy uncomfortable seats, which make long drives a nightmare for your back. Always verify if the car manufacturer can fit seats with lumbar support in your new car. Lumbar support keeps your back’s perfect posture maintained throughout a drive, which alleviates back pain. Heated seats are also available, but with the weather we have in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait, no one needs them.
Automatic Tailgate
With all the luxury SUVs being sturdily built, the tailgate can prove to be a tad too heavy for a senior driver to handle comfortably. If this poses a problem for you, some cars come with automatic tailgates that you can open and close with the press of a button.
An Intuitive Touchscreen
A touchscreen to take control of your car’s entertainment system is a relatively common feature today. However, there are only a few touchscreen systems ideal for senior drivers. Our choice is Chrysler’s Uconnect, which is one of the most senior-friendly touchscreen systems to be found in cars today with its large fonts and intuitive interface. A touchscreen, if it’s coherent enough for you, can save a lot of hassle involved in finding the right button for every function you need.
Parking Sensors and Camera
Being a senior driver, it can be a little difficult to move your neck to look at all the different mirrors while you’re parking your car. Automakers of today offer a solution in the form of parking sensors and backup cameras. Backup cameras use your touchscreen display to map out the surroundings for you, so you can park your car without ever having to turn your neck. Parking sensors sound an alarm when your car bumpers get dangerously close to an obstacle.
Foot-operated Parking Brakes
Parking brakes are normally hand-operated, and take both strength and quick reflexes to operate, especially in an emergency. Find a vehicle which has foot-activated parking brakes. These brakes are easier to use and require comparatively lesser strength to apply.
Adjustable Seatbelts
Adjustable seatbelts are much more comfortable than your average seatbelts. The levers aren’t fixed in their positions but are movable. Therefore, it is easier for you to fasten and unfasten your seatbelts quickly without having to rummage around for the lever.
Automatic Seat Adjustment
Manual seat adjustments are very difficult to manage for a senior driver. This is where automatic seats come in. Instead of feeling around for the correct lever, you use easily accessible buttons to adjust your seats in your desired position.
All these neat features found in present-day cars can make driving a charm for senior citizens in Arab states rather than a tiring experience. Be sure to make a smart decision about your next car. Best of luck!