Mobility scooters reaching speeds of up to 49kmh; Transport Ministry struggling to keep up
Wednesday, 14 November 2018
Mobility scooter users are set to slow down as the Ministry of Transport considers imposing speed limits on them.
Under the the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 there is no speed limit for mobility scooters however drivers must ride on footpaths where practicable.
With a surge in imported machines now reaching speeds of over 40kmh, the Ministry has acknowledged legislation has not kept up and safety concerns have been noted.
Since 2013 ACC has dealt with approximately 2302 mobility scooter-related injuries - about 400 annually.
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Loss of balance/personal control was the cause of over 1000 of them and strains, sprains and contusion were the most common.
The majority took place in Auckland where incidents have been steadily increasing from 55 in 2014, to 88 already this year.
In February 90-year-old Tauranga woman Molly Heapy was killed after her mobility scooter collided with a car, and 78-year-old Papamoa woman Patricia Bonser was killed in August when her scarf became entangled in hers.
Ministry of Transport acting manager of mobility and safety James Campbell said legislation was being reviewed. It was aiming to improve safety by looking at the types of vehicles using footpaths.
'The current legislation on mobility scooters has not kept up with the development of low cost and lightweight electric models. In some cases larger mobility devices are not explicitly regulated as they did not exist when the current rules were written.
'We are reviewing these rules and considering whether current requirements for power, speed and locations where they can be used are appropriate,' he said.
Tokoroa mother of three Rebecca Alloway, who has a heart condition which saw her driver's license revoked, has a fully inclosed mobility scooter which can reach speeds up to 49kmh.
It was 'scary' that she could legally drive on footpaths at those speeds.
'It is totally electric and has everything like a normal car but I don't need a rego, licence or warrant.
'I keep a copy of the rules with me because I have been pulled over a couple of times and the officers have been like 'where is your registration?'
'They read through them and are like, 'oh you are doing everything legal' and I am like, 'thank you officer, see you later.''
She drives more on the road than footpaths, for safety.
'As long as you keep as left as possible because it does kind of keep up with traffic.'
Some have complained but 'I think it is just the jealous ones as most people want one. We are going to flood Tokoroa with these.'
Tokoroa road policing Sergeant Willie Hale said while he doesn't come across many issues with mobility scooters, high speed machines were worrying.
'It is a ridiculous speed to be able to go on the footpath and we would certainly be looking at charges if something untoward did occur because they do still have a responsibility.
'It is like a small electric car really and to have that on the footpath isn't really appropriate but they are not designed to be on roads either so it's a concern.'