Safety
Overview
While safety is always an important consideration in everyday vehicle purchase decisions, it’s significantly heightened for people with disabilities and their caregivers. Designed from the ground up with the safety of both passengers and drivers in mind, the new MV-1 meets all U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
For the purpose-built MV-1, safety starts at the beginning with the original design. The MV-1 has been designed from the ground up as a wheelchair accessible vehicle direct from the factory, built and tested for its intended use without compromise. The MV-1 safety program has been organized into two key areas: preventive safety and protective safety.
Preventive Safety
Customer input throughout the development process has resulted in a well-thought out preventive safety plan. Since the MV-1 is an accessible vehicle, the preventive safety feature discussion has to begin with the MV-1’s proprietary ramp system. The MV-1 has a custom designed side-entry ramp system, not rear entry. This was a conscious decision in the original design in order to enable passenger entry and exiting conveniently on the side of the vehicle, out of the way of potentially dangerous street traffic. The integrated ramp deploys from inside the MV-1’s floor. So when it is stowed away during vehicle operation it in no way impedes interior space or puts passenger safety at risk.
Meeting or exceeding ADA guidelines, the ramp also features:
• 4.1:1 (manual ramp) or 4.4:1 and 6:1 (power ramp) ramp slope for ease of wheelchair and scooter entry and exit
• 2” high guard rails on each side to prevent wheelchairs from rolling off the ramp
• an anti-slip surface to maximize wheelchair and scooter stability while on the ramp
In addition, we have included an electronic cutoff switch that prevents a driver from operating the vehicle when the ramp is deployed and, conversely, prevents the ramp from being deployed when the vehicle is in operation.
Once inside the MV-1 you will find various safety and convenience features, many of which came directly from customer feedback, including multiple grab handles for additional support and stability for passengers in wheelchairs and multiple passenger-accessible power outlets. Additionally, the MV-1’s floor-to-ceiling height of almost 5 feet minimizes the risk of tall passengers in wheelchairs hitting their heads on the ceiling, and the spacious interior allows passengers in wheelchairs to have unobstructed views of the road and their surroundings.
In terms of safe driving, the MV-1 offers electronic stability control with anti-roll technology as well as traction control to reduce the chances of a spinout or rollover. It also features four-wheel power-assisted anti-lock disc brakes. All-season tires are standard for a safe and reliable ride no matter what the conditions. Likewise, daytime running lights, a tire pressure monitoring system and passive anti-theft system reinforce driver and passenger confidence and control.
Protective Safety
The strong and stable fully boxed frame of the MV-1 combined with high strength steel reinforced front and rear bumpers and steel side impact beams in the doors make for a protective shell around the passenger compartment.
Based on research with customers, the MV-1 provides restraint and seatbelt location flexibility allowing for different sizes of wheelchairs and scooters to be tied down in different locations. Ten (10) universal floor tracks allow for flexibility in wheelchair or scooter mounting no matter what brand of restraints passengers use. There are also two wheelchair or scooter seatbelt attachment locations to accommodate different wheelchair or scooter sizes and placements. And in the event of an emergency, the optional power ramp* can be deployed manually to allow for a prompt vehicle exit.
Likewise, the driver’s area features an airbag and a collapsible steering column to maximize driver protection during an accident. The driver’s seatbelt has pretensioners to keep them safe and secure inside the MV-1.
The MV-1 has clearly been built around the needs of its customers, with safety as a leading priority. Riding in the MV-1, customers in wheelchairs and scooters can feel confident that their safety needs have been addressed.
