Record 16 mobility scooter users killed in crashes last year — prompting calls for tougher safety rules

MORE mobility scooter users were killed successful crashes past twelvemonth than ever earlier — prompting calls for tougher information rules.

A grounds 16 died successful fatal collisions successful 2023 portion 90 others were near earnestly injured.

Figures from the Department for Transport amusement determination were different 222 prangs wherever riders suffered insignificant injuries.

Failing to spot hazards was the astir communal origin followed by being blinded by the sun, disobeying postulation signs and losing power successful bad weather.

The latest full fig of 328 wounded crashes is much than treble the 156 recorded successful 2013, of which 5 resulted successful death.

Among those who died precocious was treble amputee Mark Jackson, 61, whose scooter was progressive successful a car clang successful Grantham, Lincs, successful August.

And a pistillate successful her 70s besides fell to her decease erstwhile her scooter went implicit the oversea partition past summertime successful Dawlish, Devon.

London is the wounded collision hotspot with 104 successful the past 5 years, followed by 76 successful the West Mids, 75 successful Nottinghamshire, 72 successful Lincolnshire and 60 successful Sussex.

There are thought to beryllium much than 300,000 mobility scooters connected Britain’s streets.

But users bash not request a licence, immoderate security oregon a minimum level of eyesight to legally bargain one.

Driving Mobility is supported by the Government successful grooming sellers connected carrying retired driving information assessments and issuing guidance to customers.

The Department for Transport said: “To guarantee mobility scooter users stay safe, we person provided backing for a grooming strategy to amended users.”