MP seeks action on mobility scooters

Alison Seabeck, Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View, wrote to the Transport Minister, Robert Goodwill MP, last week to express her ongoing concerns about the safety and regulation of mobility scooters. This came after picking up on a number of concerns raised locally and around the country following a series of interviews she gave to the national media.

The safety and use of mobility scooters has been an issue on which Ms Seabeck has campaigned for some considerable time and with incidents involving mobility scooters increasing and as we see more and more on the roads, she is concerned that training in particular remains insufficient.

Some of the main issues of concern include: the quality and safety of the scooters themselves and the lack of standards required; the lack of compulsory training for users; the lack of police knowledge regarding who is using these vehicles and why; the lack of recording of accidents involving these vehicles and the cost of insurance.

The Government were carrying out a review but subsequently very little has happened.

Ms Seabeck said: “The BBC regional radio phone in programmes, discussing new data produced by the BBC, were very lively and there was no doubt that there are some strongly held views.  The Department for Transport statement in response to these reports indicated that they felt there was no real need for public concern, however it bore no resemblance at all to the public interest generated by the new data.
“With more and more mobility vehicles on the roads, the lack of knowledge amongst some users regarding safety and visibility, and in some cases poor roadworthiness, are all potential causes of accidents leading to injury and death.
“If the growth in numbers continues at the current rate then the government must take action. The public seem to agree.  We need to know who is using these vehicles and training on purchase, whether privately or from a shop, should become a mandatory requirement.”