It’s a vital consideration because, as with any vulnerable section of the population, unscrupulous companies can try and take advantage of the situation.  Only today a contact at the BBC told us that next week’s Panorama will focus on shady will-writers who prey on the unsuspecting elderly.

One company that stands out as a ‘good guy’ is Sunbury-based Kudos First, an all-round mobility company that specialises in mobility scooters, riser recliner chairs and adjustable sleep-systems. What we like about Kudos First is that whilst the company prides itself on the quality of its products, it’s how it treats its customers that makes the difference.

We’d almost go far to say that the company’s code of ethics, customer service and highly trained team is probably as important as its range of products. Given our position at the coal face of the mobility industry we can categorically tell you that this is not the case with many, many industry suppliers.  We won’t mention any names (we’re not partial to libel) but if you are reading this you know who you are!  And it’s not just our opinion either – we get dozens of emails each week from mobility customers and it’s very easy to distinguish certain, ahem, ‘patterns’.

Moving swiftly on, as we said above we’re very impressed by Kudos’ commitment to customer service and we were pleasantly surprised to receive news from them this week about the launch of several brand new mobility scooter models – the EQ transportable scooter (a new addition to its renowned MegaLite range) and the groundbreaking K Series range.

As regular readers will know we’re great fans of transportable scooters simply because they allow even greater freedom of movement and let people travel on holiday and visit friends and relatives abroad.  The EQ has upped its technological quotient by using patented MST technology and an industry-first USJ steering system. Best of all it is fully transportable and can fit into the smallest boot or storage space in seconds.

Kudos First’s latest MegaLite scooter – the EQ transportable scooter

To any readers of this blog, Kudos First is offering a minimum £1000 guaranteed part exchange for any old mobility product (age or condition irrelevant) with the purchase of a K Series or MegaLite Scooter but you’ll need to be quick – the offer is only open in August 2010.

Simply call Kudos First on FREEPHONE 0800 152 2410 or email mobilitycompare@kudosfirst.co.uk and quote, “Mobility Compare offer”.

Finally, if you’re looking for more information on mobility scooters, don’t forget to visit Mobility Compare’s mobility scooter buyer’s guide.

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What exactly?  Well, who better than Mobility Compare or BBC News to tell us more:

An elderly man has been reprimanded by police in Essex after causing traffic chaos while driving his mobility scooter.

The pensioner, who has not been named, created a tailback of four miles while travelling along the 70mph road at 8mph.

Essex Police received numerous calls from worried drivers and had to create a rolling roadblock to divert him to safety seven miles away.

Whoops!

The elderly man has now been given a “road Asbo” called a Section 59, usually used for people who are driving a vehicle in an anti-social manner.

Sgt Jason Dearsley said: “Instead of tying up the court’s precious time we decided that the best way to deal with this matter was to use powers given to us normally for dealing with boy racers.

“We see it as an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) for road users.”

Class 3 vehicles, which need to be registered with DVLA, are allowed on roads, but not motorways, while Class 2 mobility scooters are not allowed on the road.

Mobility Compare’s reply?  Forget Section 59.  He should be sectioned across the board!

On a serious note, this sort of problem is happening all too often and until the House of Commons Transport Committee makes some firm recommendations following its public consultation period there will be more than a few accidents.  That’s why its recommendations this autumn are so eagerly awaited by everyone in the mobility industry.

On the subject of mobility scooters, one product that keeps catching our eye is Quingo’s 5-wheeled mobility scooter. Created with Advanced Vehicle Concept’s Quintell Technology, what makes these mobility scooters stand out is the fact that the extra wheel makes the scooters unbelievably mobile yet also stable.  

Quingo are a superb manufacturer and, based in Luton, hold the flag up high for UK mobility scooters. We’re a serious fan at Mobility Compare simply because 3 wheeled scooters are normally mobile but slightly unstable, whilst four wheeled scooters are normally stable but not hugely mobile – the 5 wheeled scooter offers the best of both worlds.

Quingo’s 5-wheeled scooter

It’s a clever concept and perhaps best of all, Quingo offers a free trial to anyone in the UK.  The cost?  The 5-wheelers start at £2,795 which, for a state-of-the-art 5-wheeled mobility scooter, is exceptional.

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While not wishing to be patronising, but we will anyway, perhaps the next time Parliament holds a committee into disability and mobility issues, it should first come and have a coffee with us at Mobility Compare.  One cappuccino later and we’ll leave them in no doubt that ‘something must be done’ – all for the price of £2 and a muffin thrown in for good measure.  They can then save the money and spend it on castle moats, duck houses, chandeliers and a few tonnes of manure.  Oh, they already have.

Good advice for a £2 cappuccino and a muffin

The committee (The House of Commons Transport Committee to be exact) has said that with 300,000 scooters on British roads there is a clear need for scooter rules and possibly a fit-to-drive test.  Quite so.  With Class 3 scooters able to motor along at speeds of 8mph on main roads, the thought of someone seeing no more than three yards or not being able to remember whether they are in Hampstead or Digbeth rings alarm bells.

The BBC went on to quote two incidents – the first was the tragic death of 90 year old Lilian Macey and the second an injury to a toddler in Doncaster.  That’s hardly a roll call of dishonour compared to the 600,000 Iraqi’s quoted by the Lancet as being killed in Iraq or the 4,600 ‘unexpected deaths’ in UK hospitals.  Still, I suppose it makes the BBC’s copy more ‘alarming’.  But one death?  Oh dear.  As many BBC presenters die each year from strange solitary sex games.  I digress.

On a more positive tone, we note that the House of Commons Transport Committee has launched a public consultation ending on May 28^th.  That’s a clever move, and an intelligent one at that, because it allows individuals, scooter users and manufacturers to put forward their own considered opinions on the matter.  That’s a good thing for all concerned and we applaud the move.

Our view?  Yes, scooter rules need to be clarified and a fit-to-drive test needs to be made mandatory for Class 3 scooters (road going).  We also feel voluntary training courses should also be made available either by the Government or manufacturers themselves.  The Government would also do well to remember that mobility scooter users are some of the most vulnerable in society and should not be subjected to severe, draconian legislation.  Tread lightly please.

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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

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