Disabled Motoring UK - Disabled Motoring UK is the charity for disabled drivers, passengers & Blue Badge holders.

Kelvin Reynolds, Director of Operations and Technical Services at the British Parking Association (BPA) looks at how parking is improving for the disabled motorist.

First of all I want to congratulate Disabled MotoringUKfor its visionary change of name. ‘Mobilise’ has served its purpose in bringing together organisations and has indeed lived up to its name and ‘Mobilised’ action on behalf of Blue Badge holders across the UK. Moving on now to be described as Disabled MotoringUKis a masterstroke! Continue reading »

 Disabled Motoring UK trustee Daniel Anderson-McIntyre reviews the 2011 Citroen C3

Continuing the French trend in our choice of cars lately, my Fiancée recently chose a Citroen C3 Exclusive as her current car through the Motability scheme.  This is the new 2011 version of this 10 year old design and has been brought bang up to date.

The Exclusive is the top of the range and the 1.6 Auto is currently available with nil advance payment through Motability.  Being top of the range it comes with various features including the fantastic Zenith windscreen – a large panoramic piece of glass which extends to the B pillars, lots of chrome trim on the outside and alcantara trim inside.

As is usual for us the car has been fitted with hand controls (Cowal Mobility), a steering wheel spinner (Jeff Gosling) and easy release handbrake (Alfred Bekker) all installed by KC Mobility of Batley, who have as usual done a top notch job.  On this car the majority of the rods for the accelerator and brake have been hidden behind the fascia underneath the steering wheel, making for a tidy and comfortable installation which works perfectly.

Easy to drive

The C3 is very easy to drive with the 1.6 engine providing plenty of power – it is a small light car.  The auto gearbox, as is common on so many cars nowadays, can be used as a pseudo manual, but left in auto mode it is very smooth.  The only downside I can find is the steering.  The C3 uses electric power steering which is incredibly light.  For some people this might be a good thing and maybe even essential but personally I find it removes any feel for the road surface.  As is common it is important to make sure the steering column is set correctly for the driver before the hand controls are fitted as it is fixed in position once the install is done.

Both driver and front passenger get seats which are adjustable for legroom, height and angle.  Rear passengers get 3 headrests and full 3 point seatbelts.  All seats are comfortable though bear in mind this is a small car and doesn’t have acres of space in the rear – tall people might prefer to stick to the front.

Latest features

As for features, the C3 is brimming with the latest prerequisites.  You have as standard on the Exclusive a CD based MP3 player with built in Bluetooth handsfree for phone calls and music streaming from compatible phones.  You also get an auxiliary input in the form of a 3.5mm jack and a USB input for either an iPod or USB stick.

There is full climate control, cruise control, speed limiter and remote control for the stereo.  All doors have electric windows, automatic on the front and manual on the rear.  The rear doors also have an electronic child safety system which prevents the doors and windows being opened when active.

There is also a trip computer showing details of estimated range remaining and the current and average MPG figures.  This also has 2 separate sets of trip details so different sets of figures can be obtained.  Perhaps one of the more unusual features of the C3 is the built in air freshener which supplies a scent via the centre dashboard vents.  This can be changed by buying the relevant cartridge from your local Citroen dealer.

I can get my rigid wheelchair in the boot, but this requires that the rear seat be folded down and the parcel shelf removed.  My folding chair will go in with the wheels and footrests removed and the back folded down but again this is purely down to the size of the car.

On the outside the car looks good.  It shares headlights, wings and bonnet with the sportier Citroen DS3 so does have quite a macho look.  I’m not usually a fan of lots of chrome on a car but the C3 Exclusive comes with chrome trim at the bottom of the windows, on the door handles, around the grille and at the bottom of the tailgate and it does look pretty good.

Key Info

Measurements etc

Model Tested : Citroen C3 1.6 16v VTi Exclusive Auto

Available on Motability Scheme: Yes

Advance payment: £0

Tax band: G

Emissions:153 g/km

Dimensions:

Length3941 mm – 12’11″

Width 1728 mm – 5’8″ – exc. Mirrors

Height 1538 mm – 5’1”

Fuel consumption (combined) : 40.9 mpg

Disabled Motoring UK member, Rob Mannion, advises everyone who drives – and has a medically restricted licence – to check it for mistakes made by the DVLA. Continue reading »

Lifting a wheelchair into and out of a vehicle can be a tricky manoeuvre especially if the wheelchair has a tendency to spring open or the wheels are covered in mud. But a new invention by two physiotherapists aims to make this job a lot easier.

Continue reading »

When Disabled Motoring UK member John Cornelius received a ticket for a minor speeding offence he chose the option of going on a speed awareness course instead of incurring a fine and having his licence endorsed. Are these courses a waste of time, or did he feel that he learned from the experience? Continue reading »

Jim Rawlings reviews the Nissan Leaf – the electric car leading the eco-driving charge!

Time to put on my bow tie and say “The award for the World Car of the year 2011 has been awarded to…” – if this was an awards programme on television now would be the moment for a long pause while we hold our breath and some celebrity rips open a gold envelope – “…the Nissan Leaf!” Yes, this electric car now has another shiny gong on the mantelpiece to accompany its earlier award as European Car of the Year. Continue reading »

Sally Roe has more members’ stories from our cycling contingent!

Members of Disabled Motoring UK may remember that back in December your magazine included a ‘beginner’s guide’ to accessible cycling. The response we received to the article made it clear that many of our members are no beginners when it comes to life on the bike! Continue reading »

One hundred not out at the blue oval -  Jim Rawlings reflects on one hundred years of Ford in the UK. Continue reading »

Disabled Motoring UK member John Cornelius has received more than his fair share of Penalty Charge Notices (PCN’s). Should he take the hit or carry on appealing? Continue reading »

For accessible holidays and adapted vehicles Continue reading »