Mobility scooters feature high risks

Mobility scooters have high risks for users.
By MJ Woof April 24, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
New research shows a worryingly high rate of deaths and injuries for users of mobility scooters

The latest traffic data research reveals a high risk for users of mobility scooters. The data comes from the UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) road casualty statistics. This shows that mobility scooter users more than two and a half times more likely to be killed than other road users in the event of a road crash.

The DfT data shows that in 2022, nine mobility scooter users were killed and 270 were injured in collisions on UK roads. Of concern is that mobility scooter casualties have increased by an average of 20%, year on year over the last decade.

The data has been released by Surewise, a mobility scooter insurance intermediary. Surewise has insured more than 130,000 mobility scooters in the UK against theft and in the event of a collision and is launching a ‘Safer Mobility’ Campaign to help address the problem.

The campaign is intended to inform mobility scooter users about the risks they face when travelling on or near to the roads, and raise awareness about their vulnerability to all road users.

Despite their vulnerability, new mobility scooter drivers are not legally required to undergo any form of training before using their vehicle in a public place. Earlier this year, the findings of the largest ever study of more than 250 motorised mobility scooter users by Nottingham Trent University were published. Around 62% of those questioned in the research had not received any form of training, and of the 38% who had, most had received training around vehicle handling. Very few received training about the hazards they would face, with only 8% attending training on an inside course or completing outdoor training or observation.

Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Napier University and RPS study looks at UK cycle lanes
    January 9, 2015
    A new UK report suggests local authorities should think twice about automatically incorporating cycle lanes in road design. David Arminas reports Environmental and social arguments for getting more people onto bicycles are well known. The theory is the more people cycling, the less traffic congestion and less air pollution from cars. Well-defined cycle lanes can encourage people who might otherwise be too nervous to take to a bicycle. But just how effective are cycle lanes for increasing the safety of
    Read More
  • Lumitex lights up Melbourne's EastLink tunnels
    June 18, 2021
    The 1,066 high-pressure sodium lights have been exchanged for 1,174 Lumitex LEDs throughout the EastLink network's 1.6km twin tunnel complex in Melbourne, Australia.
    Read More
  • Taiwan allocates US$184m for cycle paths
    February 29, 2024
    Wang Kwo-tsai, the minister for transport, said the goal is to raise the profile of Taiwan as a leading country for cycling tourism.
    Read More
  • A future UK government should focus more on potholes and road safety
    April 10, 2015
    With a national UK election looming next month, a future government must make road safety a top priority, said the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Half of motorists in a recent survey of 2,156 people, and conducted IAM in March, said the current administration has not given the issue as much attention as is needed. The number one issue that the government should be focussing on, according to 70% of respondents, is the reduction of the number of potholes. The backlog of repairs now tops more
    Read More

Highlighted Content