A new study by the ACCC has confirmed what many able-bodied pedestrians have long suspected: Mobility scooters are dangerous!
The report found that in the two years between July 2006 and June 2008, there was a total of 442 hospitalisations related to mobilt scooter falls. The researchers at Monash University also wanted to make it clear that the number would have been significantly higher had the study included other accidents like collisions.
From the press release:
“Motorised mobility scooters are an increasingly viable option for older people to maintain independence and engagement with the community and provide physical, social and health benefits,” ACCC deputy chair Peter Kell said.
“However, there are important safety concerns that the ACCC, in conjunction with other agencies, are working to address.
“According to the Monash research, increasing use may see hospitalisations related to mobility scooter accidents grow by around 250 per cent over the next ten years in Victoria alone,” Mr Kell said.
Given that these motorised scooters are allowed to be ridden on the footpath when vehicles like the Segway aren’t in certain states it’s most likely we’ll start seeing more and more regulations imposed on these vehicles. The ACCC is already working with relevant groups and Standards Australia to increase safety.
In the meantime, if you see a mobility scooter riding towards you, proceed with caution!
[ACCC]