According to the Daily Mail, pensioners appear to be causing mayhem on their mobility scooters. In order to prevent accidents from happening the Police forces are creating a course for the users of mobility scooters that will enable them to take better care and abide by rules before purchasing a mobility scooter in prevention of any further accidents.

Officers highlight the dangers, as some have been caught on the scooters under the influence of alcohol or high on prescription drugs whilst at the wheel.

Norfolk Police has created a testing scheme in order to teach the elderly the rules of the road, for example learning how to go over ramps and across the zebra crossings.
The course is free and run by sponsorship of Halfords.

Superintendant Jim Smerden helped to create the mobility scooter awareness course. He claims that dangerous driving is becoming an increasing problem, suggesting this is due to an ageing population. Jim Smerden then goes on to suggest; ‘People can just buy a mobility scooter, sometimes off the internet or somewhere else and literally just get on it’.

Statistics in the article confirm that on average 150 people are killed or seriously injured annually as a result of incidents involving mobility scooters in the UK. However, a spokesperson for Norfolk Police claims that the course has proven very successful.

Scootamatic offers a free demonstration of mobility scooters in your own home. This allows our customers to find the scooter mobility to suit their requirements and get a helping hand getting use to their mobility scooter before purchasing. To book your free trial, fill out the form on the right of this page and we will be in touch.

The Metrolink has enforced a ban on mobility scooters over the past few months. Residents in the Greater Manchester area rely on the tram service as one of its main transport links.

The ban has caused a public outcry, according to the GMPTE, mobility scooters have never been allowed on trams. However, it is only in the last few months that it has been enforced and it is restricting passengers with a lack of mobility who have been using the metrolink for years.

Sheila Rawcliffe, Sale resident, has been using the metrolink for the past 18 years and only found out about the ban on the 22nd July when she was stopped by an inspector.

On the 16th July the GMPTE (Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive) bosses met with campaigner Dave Cordon, Sale Moor Councillor, Joanne Bennett and Sale MP, Paul Goggins to discuss the metrolink ban of mobility scooters.
Councillor Bennett for Sale Moor has welcomed the review and said she was concerned about being ‘virtually imprisoned’ if they weren’t able to use a wheelchair.

The GMPTE’s Metrolink director, Philip Purdy, said: “The review will gather further information about the standards and operability of different types of scooter and identify the issues associated with carrying them on trams.”

If you live in the Greater Manchester area and would like more information on accessible transport, visit the GMPTE website here.