Mobility vehicles are good servants, but – like in Upstairs Downstairs – they need to be certain of their position. And (again like Upstairs Downstairs), this may vary considerably depending on what they are. Here are the basics for using your Mobility Vehicle safely and effectively in Woodbridge (and around):
There are three kinds of mobility vehicle covered by the Highway Code
Class 1: Manual wheelchair (also called a Class 1 invalid carriage (!) in the Highway code)
Class 2: Powered wheelchairs and powered mobility scooters with an upper speed limit of 4 mph Vehicles in Classes 1 and 2 are designed to be used on pavements.
Class 3 mobility vehicles are those with an upper speed limit of 8 mph . Vehicles in Class 3 are equipped to be used on the road as well as the pavement.
The Highway Code reminds all mobility scooter users (eg users of Class 1, 2 and 3 vehicles) that “when you are on the road you should obey the guidance and rules for other vehicles; and when on the pavement you should follow the guidance and rules for pedestrians.”
On Pavements Class 1 and 2 vehicles are recommended to travel on the pavement at all times, if there is a pavement to travel on. They should give pedestrians priority and show consideration for all other pavement users, particularly those with a hearing or visual impairment. When travelling on pavements or in pedestrian areas, NO Class 1, 2 or 3 vehicle should ever travel faster than 4 mph. Aditionally they should further reduce speed if appropriate to adjust to other pavement users or to narrow pavements.
On Roads When on the road, Class 3 vehicles should travel in the direction of the traffic. They need to be aware that they are travelling significantly more slowly than other road traffic – and are also likely to be less visible. Mobility vehicle drivers, therefore need to think like cyclists, and take care to make themselves and their vehicle more visible when travelling in the daytime or dusk (eg. by wearing a reflective jacket and/or putting reflective strips on the back of their vehicle). They MUST follow the same rules about using lights, indicators and horns as other road vehicles. When driving at night they MUST use lights.
Class 2 users should only use the road (with caution) if there is no pavement available. In the daytime they should travel whenever possible in the direction of the traffic. At night they MUST use lights and travel in the direction of the traffic.
Parking Class 1,2 & 3 vehicles: When parking your mobility vehicle, ALL normal parking restrictions need to be be observed, and respect shown towards others. A mobility vehicle should not be left unattended anywhere where it causes an obstruction to other pedestrians and pavement/road users – especially those in wheelchairs. Parking concessions provided under the Blue Badge scheme apply only to those vehicles displaying a valid badge.
NO Mobility vehicles can be used on motorways. They should also not travel on unrestricted dual carriageways where the speed limit exceeds 50 mph. In any case where they do travel on a dual carriageway mobility vehicles MUST use a flashing amber beacon.
You can find full details of Mobility Vehicles and the Highway Code on the DirectGov site here
