For many handicapped or wheelchair-bound people, shuttling from one place to another can be difficult. To address this, handicap transportation uses a specialized vehicle and a driver with unique qualifications. In addition to being licensed and experienced, a professional driver should have the skills listed below.

Qualities a Handicap Transportation Driver Should Have

1. Training for Large Vehicles

Many handicap transportation units have spacious interiors to accommodate medical equipment like wheelchairs and oxygen tanks. Because of its size, this type of vehicle needs wider and taller clearances to maneuver and drive. A driver should have extensive training in operating bigger vehicles to prevent any mishaps.

2. Defensive Driving Skills

A lot of injuries, like accidental bumping or bruising, often result from sudden stops and abrupt turns. To ensure passenger safety, a handicap transportation driver must practice defensive driving on the road, which includes following speed limits and maintaining distance from other vehicles.

3. Basic Life Support Knowledge

In case of an emergency, a driver must know cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to revive the heart and clear out the airways. Moreover, there should always be an available and easily accessible first aid kit in the vehicle.

4. Knowledge of How to Secure Equipment

Disability transportation drivers must be well-informed on how to properly secure wheelchairs with lockdown techniques and onboard restraints. They must also know how to operate ramps and lifts to assist boarding and disembarking passengers.

5. Customer Empathy    

What separates the exceptional handicap transportation driver from the average one is empathy. They should be considerate while loading and unloading their passengers and equipment. While driving, they should check on their passengers to see if they require assistance or adjustments.

If you or a loved one needs handicap transportation to get to one place, turn to Rerk Transport in Waipahu, HI. This family-owned and -operated transportation services company has offered safe and reliable door-to-door transport around Honolulu, Waipahu, and Ewa Beach since 2009. Give them a call at (808) 671-7242 to learn more about their services or to schedule a pickup at least three hours in advance.