by SAMARA GARNHAM
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CARS reversing out of driveways are the biggest safety concern for mobility scooter users.
Geoff Baker from Horsham has experienced the danger first-hand. “This car backed onto my scooter and didn’t stop,” Mr Baker said. “I didn’t get hurt badly; it bruised my knee, but it destroyed my scooter.”
Mr Baker said the accident, which occurred while he was crossing the road earlier this year, wasn’t an isolated incident. “I’ve had quite a few near misses,” he said. “People backing out of their driveways, that’s consistent.”
As chairman of the Wimmera Mobility Group, Mr Baker is an advocate for mobility scooter safety. He would like car drivers to sound their horns when they’re backing out as scooter users can’t always see them.
A survey conducted by mobility insurance specialist Blue Badge Insurance revealed that 25 per cent of mobility scooter users had been involved in an accident at some point, and 38 per cent were involved in a near accident at least once a year.
Of those surveyed, cars reversing out of driveways worried 33 per cent, while 31 per cent felt at risk when crossing the road. Cracks in the footpath were an issue for 52 per cent of respondents, and 41.5 per cent found the lack of footpath ramps in their area a barrier to getting around.
Despite these concerns, the survey found that very few mobility scooter users were comprehensively insured. In fact, 45 per cent of current users are not insured at all.
“And as much as 46 per cent of those who believe they are covered by their home and contents insurance could in fact be underinsured,” said Blue Badge Insurance chief executive Nikolas Witcombe.
There are currently 120,000 mobility scooter users in Australia, with that number expected to reach 280,000 within 10 years.
User tips
- Be seen! It’s important to stay visible, so consider buying safety equipment including flags, lights and reflectors.
- Watch out for vehicles leaving and entering driveways; never assume the driver has seen you. n Stick to footpaths. Only ride on roads if there is no footpath.
- Only cross roads at pedestrian crossings and wait for the green light.
- Don’t block pedestrian access when you park your mobility scooter.
- Adjust your driving to the conditions and don’t use slopes that are too steep for your scooter. Make turns slowly and approach ramps and kerbs head on.
- Keep the load down – don’t carry too many parcels.
