Posts tagged mobility electric scooters
Mobility Scooter Accidents – is testing the solution?
Jan 26th
The start to the New Year ushered in the sort of headlines that mobility users could well do without. “A Mobility Scooter Menace?” screamed the BBC as it outlined how recent high-profile mobility scooter accidents had raised concern that drivers can’t be prosecuted.
Unfortunately, it’s all too true that pedestrians have been injured and toddlers knocked down by senior citizens riding mobility electric scooters. One woman, Lilian Macy, died after being hit in September by an errant scooter owner. The problem has now become so severe that in February a committee of MP’s will even begin an inquiry into mobility scooter safety.
Currently, it is difficult for authorities to apportion blame. The Road Traffic Act exempts mobility scooters and this makes it difficult to hold anyone responsible for an accident. While the freedom of the elderly and handicapped is welcome, it would help if safety guidelines are heightened, precautions taken, and some kind of training be given to mobility scooter users before they take to the streets.
Police safety courses are being conducted for mobility scooter owners in some areas, Norwich being a prime example. Users are given training where they can overcome obstacles such as avoiding hitting a mannequin, slaloming around traffic cones, taking sharp turns, and parking correctly. The user’s ability to operate their vehicle is enhanced and their driving skills honed. This ensures the safety of pedestrians and builds the confidence of mobility scooter users.
One must not ignore the fact that lack of confidence or bouts of anxiety attacks are not uncommon among elderly people. Confusing or sudden rapid movements of people in their path may cause them to speed up or knock someone down.
For their part, mobility scooter users need to be aware about the gravity of the situation if and when they can lose control of their vehicles, absent-mindedly backing into a person, or jerking forward suddenly. Driving slowly, carefully, and being alert at all times, especially when there are people around is the secret to safe mobility scooter driving.
Accidents happen all the time, everywhere, and with all kinds of vehicles. What’s important is that safety precautions and traffic rules should be adhered to, both by vehicle drivers and pedestrians. Agreed, there has been a recent spurt in mobility scooter accidents, but what is required is not apportioning the blame, but finding a solution that works for all.
MobilityCompare’s view? Voluntary training courses should be available to all mobility scooter users and made mandatory for anyone over 80 years old.
Photo Caption: An 89 year old man caught travelling at 8mph on the M20 motorway in 2009
British scientists develop tracking technology for mobility scooters
Jan 5th
Mobility electric scooters are a godsend for elderly and disabled users, but they can also become a cause for concern. Why? Elderly people sometimes get disoriented and lost in unfamiliar surroundings. Battery mobility scooters may also run out of charge unexpectedly, and some users have even been known to inadvertently drive their mobility scooters onto motorways and get stuck.
The bottom line is this: how can you track your friend or parent’s mobility scooter when you aren’t with them?
Well, the answer could be at hand. Researchers at De Montfort University (Leicester) and the University of Lincoln are working on a new tracking technology that can prevent users from getting lost.
The device would be fitted on mobility electric scooters and local authority care providers would be able to monitor their location using existing mobile phone technology. Consequently, users would be able to leave their homes without any fear of getting lost. In case of an emergency, they could also be located easily and sent help immediately – vulnerable users would therefore feel secure, even if they were far away.
Once they return home, the device would also automatically connect the mobility scooter to the user’s home telecare network to create an integrated mobility solution.
Dr. Amr Ahmed, one of the scientists leading the project, says, ”The digital era and the increasing number of online services mean that more support is available to help older people maintain a lifestyle that is as independent as possible.”
The project, named ”Integrating mobility vehicles and devices with smart homes”, is funded by the Transport innovation Network (iNet). According to iNet director John Frodsham, ”It’s exciting to think that by integrating some existing and new technologies, possibilities could open up in new applications which will also have a growing societal benefit.”
At the moment this technology is being developed for local authority care providers but, like all socially useful ideas, MobilityCompare hopes it will soon be developed privately and come onto the open market. As soon as we hear we’ll let you know. Watch this space!
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