In the days when I drove a car; it had a 2 litre engine, and did 0-60 in seconds. I would drive about about hundreds of miles in a week, and I thought driving a mobility scooter would be easy!

I hadn’t driven for several years thanks to my disability,  so the increase in traffic was the first thing I noticed. As a passenger in a car I hadn’t really noticed this. The next thing I noticed unfortunately was how vulnerable I felt.

My scooter only did 8mph on the road, but at first  it felt really fast. That said; other traffic whizzing past me made feel dizzy! I felt the annoyance of car drivers as they passed me. I felt they were annoyed and frustrated with me in my slow scooter using the road. I suppose I had little patience with scooter users when I drove a car, so maybe it was my just desserts!

In time I realised that I was just as entitled to use the road as everyone else. Maybe even more so. I have little choice – use my scooter or stay in the house. Other people have the luxury of walking miles or taking the bus, car, train – you name it. I don’t feel in the way anymore, but I do take precautions when I drive my mobility scooter on the road.

These are the things that I think are essential and make you feel safer when using your mobility scooter on the road:

• Make sure you have enough battery power for your journey and to get back home (You wouldn’t drive you car without having enough petrol in the tank)
• Make sure your scooter is well maintained
• Make sure you have planned your journey well, especially if it is a new place that you are going. You don’t want to find that you are almost there and your scooter just can’t make the 3 steps that are in your way! (I find a couple of phone calls to the place you are going often solves this one quickly.)

Once these are done, I feel much more confident about my journey. Now I don’t feel so vulnerable, I feel freedom and independence!

When I am out of the house I use a wheelchair most of the time. This has just been my personal preference. Recently I have been thinking that a scooter might be easier and better for me though.

These are the things I have been looking at:

My situation:

• I can stand a little.
• I can’t walk far without assistance.
• I like to get out and about everyday.
• I am very independent (some would say stubborn) and like as little help as possible.
• Using my wheelchair tires me out, so I can’t always go where I want to go, or need to go.

What I am looking for:

• Something light and small that can be put in the car. I can’t drive anymore but friends and family can, and I want to go where they go.
• Something I can use in all weathers.
• Something that can move about easily. I like going to the shops and wheeling around town.
• Something that goes further than 10 miles in a day. I don’t go this far in my wheelchair, but if I am going to use a mobility scooter I want to get the maximum use out of it.
• Something that looks good. I don’t want something old fashioned. I like to think I am a young man. Mobility scooters might not be trendy, but I don’t want to look silly using one either.

My conclusions:

I am going to have to use 2 scooters in order to fit my needs.

Scooter No1

• A 4 wheel scooter that can travel 8mph. These can go on the road as well as the pavement. Some more heavy duty ones can also go off-road. Generally they can travel further distances than other scooters. They are quite large and can’t be folded up to transport them, but I will be able to go as far as I want to and go everywhere I need to go. I’ll use it for travelling into town, driving around and visiting friends and family.

Scooter No2

• A really  portable, travel, lightweight mobility scooter. This will be one of the many 3 wheel mobility scooters which can be packed into the car. I can use it on holiday and when I away from home. I can use it for shorter journeys and when I go to the supermarket, or shopping.

In all honesty I will probably just use/buy the bigger heavyduty mobility scooter and use my wheelchair at other times. This will solve many problems. I will be able to choose which ‘vehicle’ is the best for each journey. Sometimes it will be the scooter other times the wheelchair. I am happy with this situation, and am glad that I researched into mobility scooters and am going to take the plunge. I am hoping it will make a big difference to me.

Here is a list of things you need to know when using a scooter on the road.

• Scooters that can be used on the road are known as a Class 3 ‘invalid carriage’.
• On the road scooters  can travel at a maximum speed of 8mph.
• If used on footpaths, the maximum speed is 4mph.
• A class 3 vehicle must be registered with the DVLA.
• For a class 3 vehicle you need to have a tax disc, but this is free of charge.
• You have to be at least 14 years old to drive a Class 3 mobility scooter.
• If you are using the road, follow the rules that other road users follow. This means road signs and traffic lights. Use your scooter’s lights, indicators, and horn.
  Take other road users and pedestrians into account.
• Never drive your scooter on the motorway.
• Insurance is not required for mobility scooters, but it is recommended.
• You do not need to pass a driving test to use a mobility scooter on the road or pavement.
• Keep your scooter roadworthy and well maintained.
• If you have a Class 3 scooter, use the pavement if possible.
• If you are using the pavement, follow the rules that other pedestrians follow (or should follow).
• Pedestrians have priority. Remember not all pedestirans will see you. People with a sight or hearing impairment, or other elderly or disabled people might not be aware you are there, and they may not move out of your way.

We hope that this list provides some useful points for on road users of mobility scooters.

I am glad the weather has finally improved. It makes going out on my scooter so much more fun.

In the winter, it’s OK going out on my mobility scooter. Without it I would just stay in, it’s kind of an essential in the winter, but in the summer I love it.

These are the reasons why:

• I don’t need to wear waterproof clothes.
• You can leave your scooter outside a shop, or a friend’s house without the seat getting all rained on by the time you come back out again.
• I don’t need to wash my scooter when I get home as it’s not all muddy.
• I can sit and talk to people for ages. I have noticed that other scooter users love to chat. I guess it’s because you are not standing up so you’re not in so much of a hurry to leave and go and sit down.
• I love to feel the wind in my hair and the sun on my face when it’s warm.
• There are more people out and about on a sunny day, I like bumping into people I know when I pop into town.
• A quick trip is not a chore, but a pleasure.
• I can drive to the local park and just sit on a bench watching the world go by, without worrying about how I am going to get home again.

The bad points about going out on your mobility scooter in the summer:

• When it’s really sunny, the sun can glare in your eyes and make it harder to see properly.
• Sunburn – sometimes you don’t realise how long you’ve been outside. Don’t forget sunscreen!

Overall, there are so many good points to using your scooter in the summer.  My life really wouldn’t be the same without it;  it’s the best piece of mobility equipment I own!

Anyone is allowed to ride a mobility scooter, and most people drive with courtesy to other people, and drive safely. However do you always drive with safety (yours and other peoples) in mind?

Here are some tips for driving safely in your mobility scooter.

The right scooter.
Is your scooter ideal for your needs? You don’t want one that is too big or too small for you. Get professional advice before you buy your scooter – your doctor or occupational therapist will give you sensible, impartial advice on what you need.

Do you know exactly how to drive your mobility scooter?
It may sound obvious, but make sure you learn about all the controls on your scooter, before you set off for the first time. The controls are simple, but you need to know how to stop, start, change speed, and turn properly.

Maintenance
Is your scooter in top condition?

The battery needs to be charged in advance of using your scooter.

Keeping your scooter clean and dry will help keep it free of rust and grime.

Always get it serviced by a reputable engineer. Many maintenance engineers will service your scooter in your home, so you don’t need to be without it.

Insurance and your scooter.
At the moment, you do not need to have insurance for your mobility scooter. However it is a good idea to get it insured. Whilst most of us drive carefully, accidents do happen.

3rd party insurance will cover you if you injure someone else while on your scooter, or will cover other property if you cause an accident. Comprehensive insurance will cover you if your scooter needs repairing if you cause an accident.

Fire theft and damage insurance would also be useful – you don’t want to be left out of pocket and unable to get out and about if something happens to your scooter.

Planning your journey.
Carefully think about where it is you are going. A route you use by car or on foot may not be the safest or best route on your scooter. Think about whether there are any obstacles or hills on your journey. Sometimes a different way might be better.

Drinking and driving.
You can be arrested for being drunk in charge of a carriage.

To be safe on your mobility scooter; it makes sense that you have not used drink or drugs before hand. Remember about your prescription drugs too. Some of these may inhibit your judgement, and make driving unsafe. Do not use your scooter if you have taken medication that may make you drowsy.

Your mobility scooter may not go as fast as a car, but you can still cause serious damage to other road users and pedestrians.

Bags and clothing.
Don’t overload or hang bags from your scooter. Likewise with your clothes. Don’t wear anything that is loose or could get caught on something. Wear bright clothing, reflective or florescent clothing is best. Be visible at all times. (Use the lights on your scooter – this will help other road users see you.)

Passengers.
Don’t carry any passengers on your scooter. Not even a child.
Even well behaved pets can be a danger. Don’t carry them on your scooter or have them on a lead off your scooter.

Driving on the pavement.
Some scooters are designed to be used on the pavement – but remember - pedestrians have the right of way.

Always make sure your scooter is set to a maximum speed of 4mph when you are on the pavement. Drive slower if there are pedestrians about, you are in a shopping area or a shop.

Driving on the road.
Scooters that can drive at 6 or 8mph are allowed to drive on the road. However you must also have lights at the front and back, indicators and a horn.

You must be extra vigilant when using the road on your scooter. Other traffic will be going faster than you, and may not have much patience with a slow vehicle like yours. Always make sure you have enough space and time for any manoeuvre you need to perform.

Take care when crossing roads or going up and down curbs. Try to cross roads where there is a dropped curb, or a pedestrian crossing. Always approach curbs at a right-angle, this will keep your scooter more stable.

Remember you are not allowed to use bus or taxi lanes, motorways or cycle tracks.