Mobility Scooters Growth
It is a fact that in the UK we are seeing a vast increase in the percentage of our population aged over 65. Currently 15% of the population is aged over 65, compared to 11% in 1951 and many more people now live well into their eighties and nineties.
One of the more noticeable indications of this trend in our society is the increase in the number of mobility scooters using our roads and pavements on a daily basis. It
is now thought that there are well over 300,000 such vehicles in use in the UK today.
Mobility Scooters enable those who have difficulty walking to enjoy full independence to continue an active and self sufficient lifestyle. Such vehicles use battery power to give a range of up to 30 miles between charges and offer a user friendly vehicle to the elderly and disabled.
To date mobility scooters have avoided much of the legislation that governs other motorised vehicles, however as the numbers of user’s increase they will undoubtedly become a focus for governmental taxation and safety legislation.
Currently the DVLA categorises mobility scooters based on there ‘speed rating’ of either 4mph (Class 2) or 8 mph (Class 3). 4mph mobility scooters are restricted to use on pavements, while 8mph (Class 3) can be used on the road. Many 8mph mobility scooters have speed regulators which allow them to be used both on the road and pavement. Mobility scooters that can operate up to 4mph to not have to be registered with the DVLA however class 3 vehicles need to be registered for road use, however no charges are made.
Surprisingly there is also no mandatory requirement to insure a mobility scooter against 3rd party liability. Many owners do take out comprehensive insurance policies, however this is normally to protect the substantial financial investment they have made in the vehicle. Also there is no MOT style test to access the ongoing mechanical safety of the vehicle.
Currently there is no official test or assessment to gain a licence to operate a mobility scooter and so there are no fundamental checks made on the user’s knowledge or physical capability. Some see the introduction of a basic test and demonstration to access user’s knowledge of the Highway Code and quality of their eyesight as a necessity to ensure the safety of operators, pedestrians and other road users. This could also deal with many ‘grey areas’ such as the use of mobility scooters by people with medical conditions that would prevent them driving a motor car such as Epilepsy.
With the growth of ”direct sell” distribution via the internet many users do not receive professional initial demonstration and assembly of the product, as they would via the traditional retail network.
With over 1000 accidents per year now involving mobility scooters many people within the mobility industry are keen to see legislation to better access people buying mobility products to ensure they receive the correct product for their individual needs. Leading Iindustry bodies such as the British Healthcare Trades Association are continuing to advocate improved licensing and user assessments.
By: JJ34
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