Mobility scooters on the streets, hazard or boon?

        The other night, driving home through the dusk, where visibility was very poor, I encountered, a strange light approaching me.  It was a single round light, quite feeble, and low to the road. No it wasn't a UFO, although it was almost as puzzling. As it got closer, the road having cars parked each side, and narrow, I slowed my car considerably. In an attempt to make sense of what it was. Uncertain exactly what bulk would be behind the light, as it was slow moving, inexplicable. Then, unbelievably, in the middle of the road, I saw it. With a line of traffic behind, and me approaching from the front, came an old lady on a small mobility scooter. There she hunched, under a wrinkled, see through plastic hood. Seemingly oblivious of the encroaching dark, the narrowing of the road, or the traffic. Chugging precariously along on her scooter. Looking as if she had every right to be there, with all the cars, and lorries, on a main road. Thank goodness, I slowed right down! anything might have happened, there was little space to spare.

          I must admit, it fairly knocked me for six. What she really needed, was a man with a red flag walking before her, to warn us all of her approach. Just as they did when the early cars began using the roads. Instead, there she was behaving as she had every right to be there. Apart from everything else, do the drivers of these little scooters,  actually have a death wish? How dare they do it, actually put themselves at risk like that. Brazenly mingling with the bulk, and speed of normal traffic, aren't they afraid ? In any collision, they would be as fragile as a flower crushed beneath a law mower. For goodness sake, do these drivers actually even hold a driving licence? Is their vehicle insured, or taxed? Are they, in fact, actually permitted on the road with normal traffic at all? I doubt that any of these things are in place. Yet, you see more, and more of them everywhere. All too often off the pavement, and driving along the roads. This is the first time I have actually seen one in the dark though. Is this another, more dangerous step? Heaven forbid!

            After this incident, I began checking. Wanting to know what is allowed, and what is illegal. As often the case, illegalities are being ignored. It appears the police do not hassle the (disabled?) drivers. With some distastrious results. Every year several hundred of drivers of these vehicles are killed on the roads. Caught out doing silly tricks similar to the one I remark on today, I imagine.

            Yes, the vehicle should be taxed, or show it's exempt certificate if driven by a disabled person. Although the general opinion is that owners, and users are often not disabled. But overweight, or with other disadvantages. Perfectly healthy people can drive them too if they wish, there are no restrictions on the state of you health. The only stipulation being they are over sixteen years of age. Insurance is not a must, only recommended. As well as fatalities on the road, they all too often run down pedestrians, negotiating the pavements. As well as shoppers, doing the weekly shop in the supermarket. Another place they are allowed. Not surprising there are accidents, as maintainance is not checked. They have no MOT, WOF, as is the case with cars, there are no tests, and few rules. Then, with more than likely no insurance, it's hard luck on the victim of any such an accident.

              Not all drive sedately, as you might expect, or safely either. You see many taking risks in general, and going too fast for the conditions. Pavements, and supermarkets can be crowded, and roads far too fast for those little vehicles to mingle with them. I know they have a speed restriction on about 6 miles an hour, but bigger, faster machines are already appearing on the market. That speed is quite enough to cause quite a serious collision, as records prove. As well as the number of them in use is increasing all the time. Surely, it would be relatively simple to put some kind of sanctions in place. Making it safe for them, and the rest of us to co habit together. Of course some people need them, I would not advocate banning them. There is nothing worse than being house bound, unable to venture to the shops. But, it needs to be safe, regulated in some way.....doesn't it?

              The thing that worried me, selfish though it may be, is if you were the one unlucky enough to squash such a vehicle, and driver, how dreadful. A picture, a guilt, you would have to carry with you for the rest of your life. As well as the thought of hurting someone, however inadvertently.

               Keep your eyes peeled folks, be ready for the unexpected on the roads. As for those who drive any kind is disabled vehicle, please don't take risks, with yourself, or the other drivers, or the  pedestrians around you. 

               Let's wish us all a safe return to our homes.