THE subject of mobility scooters really is an emotive one and one should tread carefully when condemning outright those people who really find the use of such modes of transport an absolute lifeline.

However, the problems (as previously outlined in other correspondence) lies with the attitude of the rider.

Why do so many of them think that they have to travel at faster than a walking pace when using these scooters on a public footpath?

I am quite sure that were they able bodied, they would not run everywhere! These vehicles, for that is what they are, are battery driven and therefore silent; particularly when coming up behind a pedestrian.

A pedestrian should not have to look behind them when walking so perhaps these scooters should have an audible hazard warning of sorts and be governed to a speed of no more than three miles per hour.

I do have a long-term physical problem of my own and rely on the use of an elbow crutch so am aware of the physical difficulties others may have.

One wonders whether some of the riders actually need these machines as I have seen people drive (hurriedly) up to a shop, park outside and rush into the building without any obvious physical difficulty with their legs. I also wonder whether some of the riders have ever previously driven a vehicle.

This topic will run and run (no pun intended) but at the end of the day, there has to be some form of rider responsibility with regard to third party insurance.

The base line is this, mobility scooters use the pedestrian walkways as a privilege, it is not a right to use it as a racetrack and as such they have the ultimate responsibility towards the pedestrian.

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