Mobility scooter riders urged to be more cautious

10:40am Saturday 25th October 2008

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MOBILITY scooter users are being asked to be more considerate to pedestrians after several ‘hit-and-run’ incidents in New Forest towns.

New Forest District Council is urging people using powered wheelchairs or scooters to follow safety guidelines.

And its road group is calling for legislation to give pedestrians greater protection.

In particular the council is reminding scooter drivers that pedestrians have the right of way on pavements and that some pedestrians become alarmed when scooters pass by too closely.

Disabled people with dogs are also reminded to act responsibly.

The council says taking a dog for a walk while on a mobility scooter can cause accidents, with the dog knocking over a pedestrian or getting its lead tangled.

Chairman of New Forest Road Safety Partnership Pat Wyeth said: “We welcome the opportunity for people to be mobile using these scooters, but the Road Safety Partnership would like to see legislation introduced which would safeguard pedestrians on the pavement.

“Those pedestrians who are less able on their feet, or have some kind of impairment, may not be so aware of scooters approaching them, sometimes quite fast.

“However, we do want disabled people to enjoy more mobility and with the beautiful New Forest on the doorstep, this autumn is an ideal time to get out and about on your mobility scooters.”

There are three classes for wheelchairs and scooters.

Users of manually propelled vehicles with no motors should stay on the pavements and off the road.

Drivers of mechanically propelled scooters that cannot exceed 4mph should drive them on pavements, but they can be used on roads if they have headlights, flashing indicators, a horn, speedometer and tail lights.

The third class includes mechanically propelled scooters that can travel up to 8mph on the road or 4mph on pavements.

These should have the same equipment as the previous category.