People are saying I shouldn't drive because the police would say I am not fully in control of the vehicle. Yet, I am quite capable of controlling the vehicle, so why shouldn't I drive ?
After a recent accident my arm is in plaster. In spite of this I can drive a car. I can change gears and turn the driving wheel with both hands when necessary. Normally I don't need both hands while cruising along, so I use the driver's arm rest to relieve the weight of the cast..
If you feel safe and no risk to others; I would drive.
I strongly suspect the police won't see it this way. An arm cast is potentially quite visible from outside so the chance of it being noticed is rather high.
I see you're from Aargau, so who's going to notice any difference??
Are you asking this question because you think there is a special Swiss law for this compared to in the UK or is this more a generic question?
I guess the question is, would you be able to control the car with one arm in a emergency situation? - My guess is that the answer is no, and I am pretty sure the local plod would agree.
Good point , but will the Kapo ZH allow me to drive across the border ?
I can demonstrate my ability to handle the car with the use of both hands on the wheel should I need to take evasive action, and braking is of course no problem. I am asking because I am concerned that, in spite of this, I might be regarded as driving illegally or a danger to others.
I would suggest checking with the Police or your Doctor. I am pretty sure that they would say that you may not be in proper control.
You should also consider if driving could harm your arm further in the event of an incident.
Overall, I would say that it isn't worth the risk, however safe you feel.
I had an operation on the ligaments in one of my hands a couple of years ago which meant I couldn't use it for a while. The other hand was perfectly okay. I asked my doctor if I could drive. He told me I had a medical condition that meant I was unfit to drive. That sounded reasonable to me because driving tests would fail you if you didn't have both hands on the wheel, whether or not you drive an automatic. Some permanently impaired people can drive but their cars have to be specially adapted. If I were you I would check with your doctor. If he says no don't do it, however confident you feel. Courts and insurance companies usually defer to medical experts when it comes to fitness to drive. Even if he says yes, it's then worth checking your insurance policy to see if you have to notify them of any medical conditions.
Very valid point.
I am not Swiss but I would expect Switzerland to handle it the same as Germany: I worked with diasbled people before and the rules were quite simple: People who cannot use a hand due to a disability as well as others need their cars to be specially prepared, usually with a knob that allows to turn the wheel entirely with one hand. Looks like this:
Driving with an arm in plaster in a normal car is pretty surely grossly negligent, so the insurance probably will not pay a dime if you make a crash. Not sure how much the fine is if the cops see you, but they surely would give you one. Frankly: Just because you manage to drive in a "normal" situation does not mean that you can react in a stress situation. Sorry to say it so directly: Even if it is inconvenient and in 90% of the cases nothing will happen: You would put lifes at risk if you drive with an arm in plaster.
You seem to have already made up your mind, so why are you asking? Are you seeking validation for your choice?
I'm sure 100% of the driving population feels they are skilled at driving in all conditions and are always in control of their vehicle. Statistics and the newspaper prove them wrong.
Drunk people feel that they can drive safely as well but they have lots of accidents.
OP dont drive. Better be safe than sorry
In Australia you'd fail your driving test for not having both hands on the wheel at all possible times, except for the brief time that you change gears in a manual...
Your hands must also always be in the 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock position...skimming them around the wheel or hand-over-hand is also not acceptable (when your hands are in a crossed position you are no longer in full control of the wheel).
If you are 'flicking' the wheel (letting it go so it turns back without your hands on it) then chances are you are not in proper control...
Please don't drive...too many people are overconfident driving...
But I am biased...my best friend nearly died and her baby was killed from an overconfident driver who thought he could overtake two trucks and a car in the rain on a one-lane highway...he swore in court that he thought it was safe to overtake and he never saw their car coming the other way....point being, overconfidence can have devastating consequences...