Mobility scooter video transcript
Text: Norfolk Constabulary, Safe Scoot – Be safe and secure on your mobility scooter, in partnership with Halfords and RoSPA (The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents).
Caption: Sheila Reid, actress from the series 'Benidorm'.
Sheila Reid: Mobility scooters like this are an invaluable aid for all sorts of people. Disabled, infirm and elderly and lots of other besides, and they offer an enjoyable and practical way of getting around. However they can be a danger and a hazard, so, like the drivers of all other forms of transport, mobility scooter users are obliged to follow The Highway Code, but more of that later.
Text: Safety First.
Sheila Reid: Before we consider the many advantages of owning a scooter, we need to underline the serious harm that can be caused if they are not used properly. Sadly there have been many examples of people being seriously injured or worse, as a result of being involved in an accident with one. Authorities are recognising the need to establish nationwide training schemes, but all too often scooter users lack the necessary driving skills or road safety experience at the moment. It’s in the interests of everyone, scooter users, and the public in general, for you to be properly prepared before you venture on to the streets, or pavement.
Sheila Reid: Whether you are a long term mobility scooter user, a relative novice or a complete beginner, you need to be familiar with the way your scooter works, so that you can control it safely on both pavements and roads. The retailer where you buy your scooter should demonstrate the basics. Turning, reversing, however all mobility scooter users are strongly advised to attend safety awareness events.
Sheila Reid: Like this;
Norfolk PCSO: Ok, slow down, slow, slow, that’s it, up you go, keep going, keep going, the other side, follow the cones around.
Sheila Reid: Here you will be taught how to manoeuvre your machine properly, and to negotiate the hazards you’re likely to meet every day.
Caption: For details visit the Safe Scoot website at: www.norfolk.police.uk/safetyadvice/safescoot.aspx
Norfolk Council worker: Just come straight over the top of that one, and we're driving now.
Norfolk Council worker: Just straighten up now; be aware of the lady behind you.
Norfolk PCSO: That's it, and I want you to parallel park into there, I will tell you when to turn, keep going back.
Text: Knowing your scooter.
Sheila Reid: There are two distinct types of mobility scooter, class two and class three, the larger one. Please David can you explain the differences to us?
Caption: David Law, Traffic Manager, Norfolk Constabulary.
David Law: The class two is the one I am sat on at the moment, mainly for small to medium size people, has a maximum speed of four miles an hour, and is predominantly used to go on footways and footpaths, it can be used to cross the roads, but ideally it is mainly used for footways.
Sheila Reid: Right, and class three?
David Law: The class three is the larger type of vehicle, and has a maximum speed of eight miles an hour, but the eight miles is only for roads, it does have a change over switch to change it down to four miles for on footways, as you can see it is a much larger vehicle and will take up a lot of room on footways. It is important for the users to ensure that they only go at the speed appropriate to pedestrians that are in that facility, because at the end of the day the pedestrians have right of way.
Sheila Reid: And is any insurance required?
David Law: There isn’t insurance required by law but our advise is that all mobility scooters whether it’s class two or a class three should have a minimum of third party insurance, because at the end of the day its peace of mind for the individual that’s got it, in case of theft or fire and also for any accidents that may occur. The class three also needs to be registered with DVLA and will receive a tax disc, although there is no payment for the tax disc it will require a tax disc and to be registered.
Sheila Reid: The next question is, maintenance, because presumably when I buy my scooter before I take it home I need to know exactly how to look after it, for my safety and everybody elses.
David Law: The thing with purchasing mobility scooters, ideally if you buy it from a local reputable dealer, you will get that service at the very beginning , they should provide you with some training to start with, on all the functions and the switches, in addition to that you will get the after care service, if you buy it off the internet or an zero eight number or second hand, car boot sale, you will not get that service, and you may not have a scooter that’s actually measured for your actual frame, so a local dealer will provide all that for you.
Text: Buying your scooter.
Halfords worker: Do you wish to transport the scooter in the back of a car at all?
Member of Public: No.
Sheila Reid: So, you’ve decided you want and need to buy a mobility scooter, how do you go about it, firstly come to a reputable retailer such as this. Here you will be given all the important advice and guidance you need so that you can choose exactly the right model for you.
Sheila Reid: You will also be given the opportunity to try the scooters out.
Sheila Reid: Once you're happy you have chosen the right model it will be delivered directly to your home.
Sheila Reid: Just like motor cars and bicycles there is a range of accessories for your added security and comfort.
Text: Planning you journey.
Sheila Reid: So let's take a look at how you can get the very best out of your scooter, whilst ensuring that your safe and secure at all times. The first thing you have to do is plan your journey.
Sheila Reid: Even before you set out consider the best route to take, it might not necessarily be the quickest or shortest, you need to consider a variety of factors, like obstacles and kerbs, can you get on and off the pavement more easily by going one way rather than another. It might pay to avoid busy times such as the rush hour or even dustbin collection days when roads and paths are particularly busy. In short make things as easy as for yourself as possible, think about where you are going and the best way to get there, before you set off.
Text: Top Tips.
Sheila Reid: When it comes to safety, there are some very important dos and don'ts. Do not over loads your shopping. Do not carry passengers. And do not walk your dog. All these things can so easily lead to accidents.
Text: Shopping trips. Switch to the lower speed limit.
Text: Beware of obstacles and other shoppers.
Text: And remember the weather.
Sheila Reid: It’s important to be prepared for bad weather, wear suitable water proof clothing that does not obscure your vision or get entangled in your wheels; also it’s important to use your lights.
Sheila Reid: It may seem a lot to take in but it's really just common sense, designed specifically for everyone’s safety, and remember a mobility scooter gives you independence, plus freedom, and enjoyment, I hope you found this useful, happy scooting.
Text: Norfolk Constabulary would like to thank, Kings Lynn Mobility Centre and Waitrose, Wymondham.
Text: The Highway Code and You.
Text: Rules for users of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters (36-46).
Text: 36 -There is one class of manual wheelchair (called a Class 1 invalid carriage) and two classes of powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters. Manual wheelchairs and Class 2 vehicles are those with an upper speed limit of 4 mph (6 km/h) and are designed to be used on pavements. Class 3 vehicles are those with an upper speed limit of 8 mph (12 km/h) and are equipped to be used on the road as well as the pavement.
Text: 37 -When you are on the road you should obey the guidance and rules for other vehicles; when on the pavement you should follow the guidance and rules for pedestrians.
Text: Pavements, 38 - Pavements are safer than roads and should be used when available. You should give pedestrians priority and show consideration for other pavement users, particularly those with a hearing or visual impairment who may not be aware that you are there.
Text: Pavements, 39 - Powered wheelchairs and scooters MUST NOT travel faster than 4 mph (6 km/h) on pavements or in pedestrian areas. You may need to reduce your speed to adjust to other pavement users who may not be able to move out of your way quickly enough or where the pavement is too narrow.
[Law UICHR 1988 reg 4]
Text: Pavements, 40 - When moving off the pavement onto the road, you should take special care. Before moving off, always look round and make sure it's safe to join the traffic. Always try to use dropped kerbs when moving off the pavement, even if this means travelling further to locate one. If you have to climb or descend a kerb, always approach it at right angles and don’t try to negotiate a kerb higher than the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
Text: On the roads, 41 - You should take care when travelling on the road as you may be travelling more slowly than other traffic (your machine is restricted to 8 mph (12 km/h) and may be less visible).
Text: On the roads, 42 - When on the road, Class 3 vehicles should travel in the direction of the traffic. Class 2 users should always use the pavement when it is available. When there is no pavement, you should use caution when on the road. Class 2 users should, where possible, travel in the direction of the traffic.
[Law UICHR 1988 reg 9]
Text: On the roads, 43 - You MUST follow the same rules about using lights, indicators and horns as for other road vehicles, if your vehicle is fitted with them. At night, lights MUST be used. Be aware that other road users may not see you and you should make yourself more visible - even in the daytime and also at dusk - by, for instance, wearing a reflective jacket or reflective strips on the back of the vehicle.
[Law UICHR 1988 reg 9]
Text: On the roads, 44 - Take extra care at road junctions. When going straight ahead, check to make sure there are no vehicles about to cross your path from the left, the right, or overtaking you and turning left. There are several options for dealing with right turns, especially turning from a major road. If moving into the middle of the road is difficult or dangerous, you can…
Text: On the roads, 44 –
- stop on the left-hand side of the road and wait for a safe gap in the traffic.
- negotiate the turn as a pedestrian, i.e. travel along the pavement and cross the road between pavements where it is safe to do so. Class 3 users should switch the vehicle to the lower speed limit when on pavements.
Text: On the roads, 44 - If the junction is too hazardous, it may be worth considering an alternative route. Similarly, when negotiating major roundabouts (i.e. with two or more lanes) it may be safer for you to use the pavement or find a route which avoids the roundabout altogether.
Text: On the roads, 45 - All normal parking restrictions should be observed. Your vehicle should not be left unattended if it causes an obstruction to other pedestrians - especially those in wheelchairs. Parking concessions provided under the Blue Badge scheme (see ‘other information’) will apply to those vehicles displaying a valid badge.
Text: On the roads, 46 - These vehicles MUST NOT be used on motorways (see Rule 253). They should not be used on unrestricted dual carriageways where the speed limit exceeds 50 mph (80 km/h) but if they are used on these dual carriageways, they MUST have a flashing amber beacon. A flashing amber beacon should be used on all other dual carriageways (see Rule 220).
[Laws RTRA sect 17(2) & (3), & RVLR reg 17(1) & 26]
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