Occupant restraint preferences of individuals traveling in motor vehicles while seated in their wheelchairs.

A survey among 127 wheelchair users was conducted to characterize wheelchair occupant restraint usage patterns, restraint deficiencies, user characteristics, and essential wheelchair occupant restraint design parameters for when individuals travel in motor vehicles while seated in their wheelchairs. Survey respondents value independent travel and seem generally interested in the use of an occupant restraint system that is attached to the wheelchair frame and that can be used independently by the wheelchair user without caregiver or vehicle driver assistance. Results of the survey further indicate that despite the relatively high percentage of respondents who are attempting to travel safely (78.8%), almost half of these wheelchair users have experienced injury or compromised wheelchair balance while traveling in motor vehicles.