DVLA

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A new Highway Code for Britain's mobility scooter drivers has been launched following public concern over the increasing toll of accidents caused by the vehicles. Advice in 'The Safe Scoot Guide' includes telling scooter owners not to drive on the motorway, not to drink and drive, to check medications that could cause drowsiness before driving, and to always give pedestrians priority on pavements. Police forces throughout the UK fear that the problem of dangerous riders is soaring as people are able to drive mobility scooters which have a top speed of 8mph without any training.

The safety drive move comes in the wake of a new Department of Transport study revealing that most people think riders of mobility aids should have training, insurance, take a test and pass an eye examination. In the survey, 53% of those questioned wanted drivers of mobility scooters to take a test, 78% of people said they should have training, 61% felt they should have insurance like motorists and over 80% said they should have an eye test. The latest research shows that one in five people either use a mobility scooter or have a family member, close friend or colleague who uses a mobility scooter.

According to the DoT figures, 7% of people have either been injured by a mobility scooter or have a family member, close friend or colleague who has been injured by a mobility scooter. The new Highway Code has been created by Norfolk Constabulary in partnership with leading mobility retailer, Halfords, in an effort to tackle public concerns regarding safe scooting and increase user safety. Guidance includes telling scooters not to drive on the motorway, not to drink and drive, to check medications that could cause drowsiness before driving, and to always give pedestrians priority on pavements.

The Safe Scoot Guide is divided into seven sections. Its helpful safety tips include:

DO:

1. Make sure you can control the scooter before taking it out.

2. Keep the battery fully charged.

3. Watch out for children, they may run infront of you without warning

4. Be aware of elderly and the disabled who may not be able to move quickly out of the way

5. Give pedestrians priority on pavements and show consideration for other road users.

6. See and be seen, wear a fluorescent jacket or put reflective marking on the scooter, put the lights on.

DON'T:

1. Drive on busy roads and do not drive on the motorway. If on a dual carriageway the scooter must display flashing amber lights.

2. Drink and drive and check medications which could cause drowsiness.

3. Carry another person on the scooter.

4. Carry or walk a pet while operating the scooter.

5. Wear loose fitting clothing which could get caught in the wheels.

6. Overload the scooter or hang shopping from the handlebars.

(Source: Daily Telegraph, Sep/10)

Users of mobility scooters are inadvertently breaking the law by failing to register the scooters with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The scooters, which have caused a spate of accidents involving pedestrians and shoppers, are required by law to have either a tax disc or exemption certificate. Also, most of them are not insured. Local authorities and the police are failing to enforce the law, allowing ever-larger and increasingly sophisticated scooters to cause mayhem on pavements and shopping centres, where scooters are allowed up the aisles of shops.

MPs and safety campaigners have now called for the industry to be brought under control and for the DVLA to stop turning a blind eye to what amounts to a mass evasion of the road tax and safety regulations. There is also no requirement for the vehicles, many of which are second-hand and poorly maintained, to undergo any form of safety check. And users are free to start riding on the pavement or the road without any training, health assessment or eyesight check. Insurance is voluntary, which means anyone hurt in an accident has little chance of winning financial compensation. There is no need to be registered disabled or to even be an OAP.

The only qualification is that the user must be over 14 years old but with a 26st scooter capable of carrying a weight of up to 39st, critics say the vehicles pose a potentially lethal threat to pedestrians. A shopper was taken to hospital earlier this year after being knocked down by a mobility scooter in a Sainsbury's store in Exeter. And in 2004, the most recent year for which figures are available, there were a reported 1,134 incidents involving scooters, including the deaths of eight riders who were hit by cars or lorries on the open road. The Department for Transport said, "We are currently reviewing the rules that govern the use of these vehicles. We believe that the vast majority of users operate their vehicles safely and legally." (Source: This is London, Nov/06)

Owners of mobility scooters who fail to register their vehicles will face fines in a Government clampdown. Ministers have confirmed that they must be registered with the DVLA and say action will be taken to ensure riders obey the law. A Department for Transport spokesman said, "Only a small number of scooters are registered. We will be working with the DVLA to encourage manufacturers and dealers to make sure users know about their legal responsibilities."

The vehicles have been involved in a spate of accidents with pedestrians. Denise Saddleton suffered serious leg injuries when a mobility scooter crashed into her from behind and knocked her down as she walked along a pavement in Whitstable, Kent. But when she reported the incident to police they claimed it was a civil matter. The Department for Transport confirmed that mobility scooters should be registered and urged owners to contact their local DVLA office or phone the Swansea agency on 0870 240 0010. (Source: Mail on Sunday, Dec/06)

Margaret Quarrell, aged 94, could lose her right leg after being struck by a mobility scooter in a pedestrian precinct. The machine landed on top of the pensioner, sending her walking frame flying through the air. She was pinned to the pavement with the rider still in his seat and passers-by only saved her from being crushed by lifting the scooter off her body. Mrs Quarrell is expected to be in hospital for at least three months.

The police wrongly refused to treat the collision as a road accident, saying scooters are not classed as vehicles as they are not registered at the DVLA. Officers even warned Mrs Quarrell's relatives that any attempt to have the rider arrested could amount to an infringement of his rights. A Scotland Yard spokesman said, "This is a grey area because there is no specific legislation covering mobility scooters. If they were registered with DVLA, this incident would be classed as a traffic offence." But they should be and it IS a traffic offence. (Source: This is London, Jan/07)

UK motorists are to be pursued for parking tickets and speeding fines incurred on the Continent. Ministers have given the DVLA permission to pass the details of British drivers to foreign police forces so they can chase offenders for payment of any criminal penalty after they have returned home.

The DVLA will also be able to send out tickets on behalf of foreign countries, although they will not be able penalise British motorists by adding points to our licences. Under the new laws, all EU member states will be legally bound to follow up unpaid fines if requested by another member state.

The new moves also mean that thousands of foreigners who commit offences in this country will not escape justice. In London alone, it is estimated that in 2005 foreign drivers owed around £40 million in unpaid congestion charge fines, parking tickets and bus lane tickets. (Source: Daily Mail, Jun/06)

The DVLA has paid £1.4million of taxpayers' money to a company which went bust, without delivering the order. A senior staff member has been suspended and a probe launched into the blunder over an automatic mailing machine. Bosses want to know why the money was paid up front to Bowe Systec and not after the equipment had been received. A DVLA spokesman said, "It doesn't mean we will not receive the kit eventually. Discussions are ongoing with the company administrators."

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