Know The Features Of Different Types Of Disability Scooters

By Author: Abhishek Kumar
Total Articles: 106
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There are many mobility products and aids available in the market. All these are designed and manufactured with one purpose only and that is to provide independence to disabled bed ridden or chair ridden people. Mobility or disability scooters are one of the most popular mobility products today. These scooters are nothing, but advanced wheelchairs that are technically designed to be used indoors as well as outdoors. The main concern of using any disability aid is the safety parameters. And, mobility scooters have covered them efficiently with different models like two, three, four and five wheeled scooters. However, it is observed that along with the increase in the usage of these scooters number of accidents has also increased. To avoid them, it is important for the users to follow driving rules on the road.

Users should understand all the rules and regulations to drive these disability scooters in the traffic. They should know the legal requirements to use them conveniently outdoors. The UK government has made some rules for the mobility scooter drivers to be followed on the roads. These scooters are called ‘invalid ...
... carriages’ in legal terms. They fall into three below categories-

Class 1- These are simple or manual wheelchairs. They are self-propelled devices or require assistance to take the disabled person to the desired places.

Class 2 – These disability scooters have maximum speed limit of 4 mph. They are allowed only for foot way use. If any user wants to use them on roads, they should first equip it with effective braking system, headlights and reflectors for safe travelling in the dark hours.

Class 3 – These are advanced mobility scooters designed to be used on roads and highways with a maximum speed limit of 8 mph. Their speed can be restricted from 8 mph to 4 mph to drive on the footways. These are heavy-duty vehicles that can carry approximately 150 kilograms of weight. They are equipped with all the safety features like the effective braking system, indicators, horns, rear view mirrors and amber flashing lights for dual carriageways.

A user is required to register class 3 vehicles with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) before hitting the road. If not, then he may be prosecuted by the police. However, class 3 vehicles are not declared motor vehicles; hence the user is not required to have a driving license for them. He is not even required to give any driving test for the same. The user should be at least 14 years old to drive mobility scooters on the road. All these legal requirements will ensure user enjoys his independence outdoors without any legal hassles.

For more information on Disability Scooters & Electric Scooters Mobility