Psychologists at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) have teamed up with Surewise, a leading mobility scooter insurance intermediary, to tackle the alarming increase in deaths and injuries among mobility scooter users on the UK’s roads.
This collaboration comes in the wake of alarming statistics revealing that mobility scooter riders are over two and a half times more likely to be killed in a road crash compared to other road users.
In April, Surewise launched its ‘Safer Mobility’ Campaign following a detailed analysis of road casualty data. The data revealed a troubling trend: over the last decade, casualties involving mobility scooter users have increased by an average of 20 per cent each year.
The campaign aims to inform mobility scooter users about the risks they face while travelling on or near roads and to raise awareness among all road users about the vulnerability of this group.
Earlier this year, Nottingham Trent University published the findings of the largest-ever study of over 250 motorised mobility scooter users. The study uncovered that around 62% of respondents had not received any form of training.
Of the 38% who had received training, most had only been instructed on vehicle handling, with very few learning about the specific hazards they might encounter. Alarmingly, only 8% had participated in training courses involving practical, on-road experiences or indoor simulations.
Dr Duncan Guest, Professor of Psychology, at Nottingham Trent University, is a strong advocate for the Safer Mobility Campaign. Along with Richard Hannan, Director of Surewise, Dr Guest facilitated a Road Safety GB webinar today entitled ‘Mobility Scooter Users: The Forgotten Road Crash Victims.’
In this webinar, Duncan and Richard explored various aspects of mobility scooter safety, delving into the data, identifying the key issues, and discussing how road safety teams across the UK can take effective action.
Dr Duncan Guest, Professor of Psychology, at Nottingham Trent University, said: “Our research underscores the significant challenges that mobility scooter users face on our streets. From inadequate training to a lack of awareness about road hazards, these issues contribute to the higher risk of collisions. The Safer Mobility Campaign is essential in addressing these challenges and ensuring that mobility scooter users receive the education and support they need to navigate safely.
Richard Hannan, Director of Surewise, said: “By collaborating with Nottingham Trent University, we aim to shine a spotlight on the alarming statistics and bring about meaningful change. Our joint efforts are focused on educating both mobility scooter users and the wider public to ensure safer travel for everyone.”
The collaboration will continue with a workshop hosted by Dr. Guest and Richard Hannan at the National Road Safety Conference 2024 in November. This workshop aims to further highlight the risks faced by mobility scooter users and to discuss comprehensive strategies for improving their safety on the roads.
As this partnership between Nottingham Trent University and Surewise gains momentum, it is hoped that the increased awareness and targeted actions will lead to a significant reduction in road casualties among mobility scooter users, ensuring safer travel for this vulnerable group.
