Surewise has officially launched its Safer Mobility Campaign: keeping mobility scooter users safe. This campaign, prompted by a spike in reported incidents involving our mobility scooter customers and research revealing a 20% year-on-year increase in mobility scooter casualties in the last decade, aims to bring awareness to the risks faced by mobility scooter drivers and better educate all road users on keeping one another safe.
Using roads and highways in the UK can come with risks for anyone, but there are particular road users who are more vulnerable than others. One group that is increasingly at risk is mobility scooter users.
Mobility Scooter Drivers Two Times More Likely To Be Killed In Road Incidents
Mobility scooter drivers are more than twice as likely to be killed in a road crash than other road users, data has revealed.
We analysed official figures from the Department of Transport, and found that in 2022 alone, nine mobility scooter users were killed and 270 were injured in collisions on UK roads.
Alarmingly, the figures also show that over the last decade, mobility scooter casualties have increased by an average of 20 percent, year on year.
With the mobility scooter user demographic predicted to grow even more in the next few years, and the vulnerability of these drivers due to their lightweight vehicles, we’ve launched the Safer Mobility Campaign to raise awareness on the perils mobility scooter drivers face on our roads.
The Surewise Safer Mobility Campaign
We have insured more than 130,000 mobility scooters in the UK, but despite those figures, we’re still a relatively small team based in Essex.
Our claims team have seen first-hand the trauma victims of mobility scooter crashes experience. After a spike in reported incidents earlier in 2024, our team felt an obligation and responsibility to dive deeper into exactly what is happening on our roads and raise awareness on how all drivers can keep mobility scooter users safe.
The campaign aims to educate all road users about the risks facing mobility scooter users, who are particularly vulnerable if they are involved in a crash.
“We were horrified to discover that mobility scooter drivers are more than twice as likely to be killed in a road crash than other road users.
“And, sadly, the problem only seems to be getting worse. Worryingly, the casualty data shows a substantial increase in casualties since 2011, and our claims team takes regular calls from distressed customers who have been injured in collisions.
“Mobility scooter users are very vulnerable, particularly when travelling on the roads, and, unlike cars and other vehicles, the driver has little protection in the event of a crash.”
– Richard Hannan, Director at Surewise
Mobility Scooter Safety Resources & Tips
To accompany the campaign, we’ve created a number of resources and tools to help mobility scooter users keep themselves safe.
The responsibility for road safety is with all users of the road – but there are certainly steps every mobility scooter driver can take to keep themselves as safe as possible.
Mobility Scooter Safety Guide
Our team has produced a free, downloadable safety guide, giving mobility scooter users useful tips and advice on how to stay safe.
Anyone who would like to receive a free digital copy or a free printed safety guide with a sticker pack bundle to make your mobility scooter more visible when driving can opt-in via the below form.
Please note- sometimes the form can take a few moments to load. If the form is still not showing, drop us an email with your full name and postal address to [email protected] and we can manually add you to our list!
Other Safety Recommendations
As part of the Safer Mobility campaign, we’re also making the following recommendations to help keep mobility scooter users safe:
Training
While training is not mandatory for mobility scooter users, it is strongly recommended that new mobility scooter drivers enroll on a training course. Mobility scooters aren’t the easiest devices to manoeuvre, so training can provide some peace of mind before using the roads.
Stay Visible
Wear high-viz clothing, such as a vest, hat, or jacket. Especially if you are planning on using your mobility scooter in reduced visibility. Ensure that your clothes aren’t loose enough to get caught in anything or obscure your line of sight.
Road Requirements
If your mobility scooter is eligible for road use (check here) and you have to drive on roads, try to stick to quieter areas and avoid dual carriageways.
Plan Your Route
Think about the route you want to take before travelling – Avoid busy roads and junctions and choose routes with wide pavements.
Travel Times
Think about when you need to travel – Avoid peak pedestrian and traffic times, for example school runs, commuting times, weekends and school holidays when the roads may be busier.
Insurance
Mobility scooter insurance is not currently a legal requirement, but it provides a degree of financial protection over your mobility scooter and it’s drivers should you be involved in an incident. It is strongly recommended that mobility scooter users take out specialist insurance to protect their vehicle in the event of a collision.
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