DISABILITY groups and politicians have backed calls for a register of scooters to improve safety.

They say users would take more care if they thought they could be tracked down through a number plate or registration following an incident.

The call for stricter regulations comes as the Daily Echo continues its Focus on Scooter Safety campaign and asks whether users should have to take a driving test.

Last week we reported how a number of pedestrians had been injured after being struck by disability scooters.

It sparked calls for a safety review including the introduction of a competency test for users.

Louis Slack, chairman of the Disability Awareness Group in Southampton, said: “I think registering scooters and giving them number plates would make users think twice before leaving the scene of an accident.

“It would also be a good way of finding out who they are if they do decide to flee the scene.”

Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, also backed the move.

He said: “I think a number plate system would definitely help.

I don’t think it should have to involve the DVLA but I think there should be something in place to identity the owner or user of a scooter.”

The call comes after pensioner Violet Schuck wrote to the Daily Echo suggesting the move.

The 76-year-old believes users would take more care when driving along busy high streets and through shopping centres if they knew they could be traced following a collision.

She said: “If all mobility scooters were registered then it would make it easier to trace users following an accident.

“Members of the public could note down the number plate, which could then be matched up to the user’s name and address.

“I think it would stop users leaving the scene of an accident. We use a number plate system for cars, so why not for mobility scooters?