Motorised Mobility Scooters

Information Sheet 8 Motorised mobility scooters

© South Australian Government 2012 Moving Right Along: Obligations and Opportunities for Older Drivers encourages safer, greener and more active travel for older South Australians. It comprises a series of Information Sheets about fitness to drive and legal responsibilities, driver assessments, ideas for maintaining the ability to drive safely and planning for the time when you, a family member or friend will decide to drive less or stop driving altogether.

Motorised mobility scooters Choosing a motorised Being safe mobility scooter Motorised mobility scooters improve Know, understand and practice using all mobility and independence for people It is important that you find out as much as of the scooter controls and functions. who have difficulty when moving due you can before choosing a mobility scooter Have the scooter regularly serviced and to disability, illness or injury. They are also for your own use. It should suit your specific undertake safety checks on a regular known as mobility scooters, motorised needs and abilities, and the specifications basis. of the vehicle you choose should comply wheelchairs or ‘gophers’. Plan safe routes that provide footpaths with the Australian Road Rules, the and safe crossing points when travelling Road Traffic Act (1961) and/or the Motor Motorised mobility scooters to places you usually visit. Vehicles Act (1959). and your health Be visible – wear brightly coloured Check with a health practitioner about For advice and information, contact: clothing, attach a flag to your scooter. your suitability to use a mobility scooter. The Independent Living Centre. This is a Consider fitting headlights for extra You do not have to obtain a Driver Medical visibility. Government agency that can help with Assessment, but if you have a condition that information about mobility scooters Accidental acceleration of the scooter can prevents you from driving safely, it may and motorised wheelchairs. Staff are occur under some circumstances. also affect your ability to successfully use specialised in providing information To avoid this, consider taking the following a mobility scooter. Some medications about individual needs and understand precautions: can also affect the ability to operate a the importance of making sure that the store packages and bags safely mobility scooter safely. scooter you buy will comply with the law. avoid hanging objects off the handles There are a number of essential skills Shops selling mobility scooters also required for the safe use of a mobility provide information. secure loose clothing scooter. Consider your: Other users of mobility scooters may be remove the key from the key switch hearing interested in answering your questions before getting on and off the scooter. about features of their scooters e.g. coordination and strength stability, ease of use, access to controls Australian Road Rules physical balance and endurance and ease of battery recharge. The Australian Road Rules state that a muscle or joint stiffness person using a mobility scooter is classed vision Insurance as a pedestrian if the maximum speed on perception The Motor Accident Commission provides level ground cannot exceed 10 km/h. third party bodily injury insurance for concentration As such the rider: claims involving incidents that occurred reaction time. on the road or footpath in which the rider must observe the same road rules that of the mobility scooter was at fault. apply to pedestrians In the event of a crash in which the must not obstruct the path of any driver driver of another motor vehicle was at or other road user fault, that driver’s third party insurance must not travel along a road if there is a covers claims. footpath or nature strip adjacent to the Contact an insurance company or broker road, unless it is impracticable to travel to check personal liability and insurance on the footpath or nature strip cover for the mobility scooter. Most if travelling along a road must: household insurance policies cover legal – keep as far to the side of the road as liability for injury to other persons or possible damage to their property occurring – travel facing the approaching traffic on private property, but it is unusual unless it is not practicable to do so for the insurance to include accidental can use shared paths, off-road bike paths damage to your mobility scooter. It is worth and shopping malls checking your policy to ensure that this does not need to have a driver’s licence. is covered.

2 Your legal responsibility As a licensed driver in South Australia and regardless of your age, you are legally required to advise the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure in writing as soon as you are diagnosed with an illness, disease or disability, or take medication that could impair your ability to operate any motor vehicle effectively and safely. Also, health professionals are legally required to notify the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure as soon as they consider that you suffer from a physical or mental illness, disability or deficiency, or take medication that would be likely to endanger the public if you These mobility scooters must have an un- drive a motor vehicle. laden weight of less than 110kg and must The health professional does not need carry one person only. They do not need to your permission as this notification is be registered and the rider does not need compulsory by law. to wear a helmet or a seatbelt when Department of Planning, travelling on a mobility scooter. Transport and Infrastructure Most, but not all, mobility scooters GPO Box 1533, ADELAIDE SA 5001 available in Australia comply with these The consequences for failing to notify requirements, stated in the Australian Road the Department of Planning, Transport Rules. It is important to check carefully and Infrastructure of a reportable medical before you buy e.g. if you need to travel condition and continuing to drive are severe. up a slope to your home you may require a scooter that has a more powerful motor. If involved in a crash: This would mean that the scooter has to you may be charged with related driving comply with different rules. If in doubt – offences and with failing to notify check it out! the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure of a reportable medical condition you may be sued for any damages to people or property caused by the driver in that crash your private car insurance coverage may be affected.

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Moving Right Along Information Sheets 1 Road safety and older drivers 2 Fitness to drive 3 Driving and your health 4 Driver Medical Assessment 5 Practical Driving Assessment 6 Travel options 7 Buying a safer car 8 Motorised mobility scooters 9 Retiring from driving 10 Are you worried about someone’s driving? 11 For more information

For resources and contact details of relevant government departments and other organisations refer to: Information Sheet 11 Version 3 Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure