Mobility Training
UMT Upcycling & Mobility Training Ltd campaign for mandatory training on mobility scooters because accidents involving mobility scooters are on the increase.
There are over 350,000 mobility scooters in Britain. According to figures released by the Department of Transport, there were 260 reported accidents in 2016, equating to a 17% increase on the previous year. Alarmingly, the number of fatalities in 2016 increased by 75% on the 8 fatalities reported in 2015.
UMT Upcycling & Mobility Training Ltd aims to reduce the risk to the user and the general public and to ensure that drivers of mobility scooters have the necessary skills and confidence to drive independently and safely.
No Legal Requirement
At present, there is no legal requirement to undertake any form of training before driving a mobility scooter on our public roads and pavements. This puts the user, other vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians at significant risk.
The Highway Code states in Rule 37 that when on the road, mobility scooters should obey the same guidance and rules as other vehicles and; when on the pavement, scooters should follow the guidance and rules of pedestrians.
Training Before Buying
Best practice would be for anyone looking or thinking about making a purchase, take training first. This would ensure that the scooter is not only suitable for your needs, but that you are also sufficiently able to use the scooter safely.
Purchasing a Mobility Scooter
There are several ways to make a purchase as an example; in store with a retailer, online or used. In store, you may get an opportunity to drive around their showroom. It is our opinion just riding around a store for a short while is not sufficient enough for users to gain an understanding of the power of the scooter, or to learn the skills required to drive in public spaces with the associated hazards of pedestrians, obstacles and traffic.
Market research has identified that many users complained of a lack of training and little knowledge of what to expect when using the scooters in public, with only a handful actually admitting they didn’t need training.
With an increase in the use of mobility scooters due to a constantly ageing population and the amount of traffic on the roads generally, UMT Upcycling & Mobility Training Ltd is committed to making safety a priority.
Fees
| Duration: 3 hours |
Location | Cost |
| Group Session | Cardiff, Newport | £65.00 |
| 1-1 Home Session | Location of your Choice | £85.00 |
Course Content
Theory
- Initial one-hour introduction before start of course to assess ability
- Pre – documentation, eye sight check, health check
- Theory to include relevant legislation & Highway Code, importance of Insurance
- Recommended maintenance requirements, Batteries, tyres, breaks, lights, indicators
- preparing for the road including traffic signs and signals, and parking, pedestrians, pavement furniture, vehicles
- What to do in an emergency, in case of accident, breakdown, hazard in your path
- Introduction to different types of scooters, Classes 1, 2 & 3
- Planning route, Public transport
Practical Training
- Walk around introduction to the mobility scooter, controls, steering, seating positions, tyres and battery location & how to charge battery
- How to mount and dismount mobility scooter correctly & safely (dangers if not done correctly
- Seating position explained
- Turning Mobility scooter on/off
- Moving forward slowly and stopping, getting used to breaking system
- Driving forward slowly under control, introducing planning moving away including observations, controlled stop, Left and right turns, Roundabouts, Crossings, Ramps, Kerbs
- Reversing, rear observation, planning, parking