Staying safe on a mobility scooter
Should mobility scooters users have compulsory driving lessons before being allowed on the roads and pavements ? A new scheme recently introduced in Cornwall provides training to customers.
Even driven slowly these are heavy machines and capable of causing serious damage to pedestrians and their users.
I am the biggest advocate for keeping the elderly independent but I am also mindful that inexperienced users often have accidents. Insurance is still not compulsory for the 4 mph scooters although there is a group currently lobbying for it to become so.
I am also a passionate campaigner regarding “Be Safe, Be Seen” make the scooter and user as visible as possible. With more and more of them on the roads and pavements there are more accidents to waiting to happen. When the mobility scooter manufacturers are making millions is it too much to ask for them to through in a high visibility vest for free ?
I have personally secured funding from my local Rotary Club and provided 80 local scooter users with high vis vests. “Operation Visible” is my suggestion to mobility scooter manufacturers that this is their responsibility not mine.
What do you think ? I would love you to let me know via my contact page.
Rosemary, Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to comment on my article. I am sure you know that neither pedestrians nor scooter users can be tarred with the same brush. There are many examples when both can be ignorant/careless and I do agree many pedestrians have little spacial awareness which to you as a scooter user must be infuriating. However I also see many scooter users driving far too fast.
Perhaps we could design a public awareness campaign making both more aware and tolerant?
I am also sorry that you have been the recipient of abuse from pedestrians, that is both unnecessary and rude but some people are like that.
I have taken on board all your points and yes,fortunately at present I can walk,but none of us knows what awaits us in the future and I am grateful for my health and well being on a daily basis. Very best wishes to you Rosemary and thank you for reading and commenting. Caron Sprake.
I would love to be able to walk but I cant so a scooter/chair is a necessity for me. Ocassionly their is a BAD user but what about all the motorist on the road who supposedly have had lessons. Also pedestrians tend to be blind when it comes to scooter/chair users its as if we are invisible, only yesterday with in a matter of 20 yards I was nearly walked into twice. Both Ladies were fully apologetic saying they had not seen me and looking elsewhere. I had to shout to get their attention and avoid an accident, but I know if I had not then I would have been bumped into, and from past experience of the general public I would have been blamed. Some people make horrible remarks for example:- “she aught to fall off that thing” & why cant she walk…if only As for the cars parked on pavements blocking my way, do not get me started, I have been collecting pictures of these to send to the DVLA, Police and my council. I am not sure, but I bet YOU Caron can walk, so just think yourself lucky, I would change with you in a flash.