Clwyd West AM Darren Millar has called on the Welsh Government to take action to help prevent accidents involving mobility scooters in Wales.
Darren called for a Ministerial Statement on the matter in the Senedd last week after concerns were raised with him that incidents involving mobility scooters in Wales are increasing.
He said:
“I have become increasingly concerned about the number of accidents that are happening across the country and, indeed, many people are becoming seriously injured in accidents with cars, and, more concerningly, with pedestrians, including people in my own constituency who’ve broken limbs as a result of accidents with mobility scooters on pavements.
“The British Healthcare Trades Association have suggested that there may be as many as 4,000 accidents with mobility scooters in Wales on an annual basis, and yet there are no proficiency tests required for people using such vehicles on our streets and on our roads. It would be helpful if the Welsh Government could outline its position on this and make a statement as soon as possible on what action it intends to take.”
Sales of mobility scooters are running at 80,000 a year as the elderly live longer and more young people contract lifestyle-related disabilities.
Nottingham County Council run free courses highlighting the dangers created by mobility scooters to their drivers and to other people and educating users on safe use. Riders are encouraged to plan routes to avoid obstacles, high kerbs, rush hours and bin days. And they are discouraged from overloading with shopping, carrying passengers and scooting while walking the dog.
Darren added:
“It would be great to see such courses introduced here in Wales. Mobility scooters are great at providing people who can’t otherwise get about with independence, but we need to educate people about the dangers and the importance of using them responsibly.”