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Written question asked by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat) on Friday, 14 October 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 19 October 2011. It was answered by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 27 October 2011 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Invalid Vehicles: Safety

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what progress her Department has made in considering responses to its consultation on proposed changes to the law governing powered mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs; and whether she has considered implementing additional requirements to make mobility vehicles more conspicuous for the purposes of improving the safety of the mobility vehicle user and other road users.
Answer

[holding answer 19 October 2011]: The Department's full response to the consultation will be published as soon as possible. Following careful consideration and analysis of all the responses received, I have asked my officials to undertake further work with transport operators, the industry and user group representatives on the following issues:"options for training and incentives for vehicle users to take up training;""a possible minimum eyesight requirement and incentives for users to meet these requirements;""the case for increasing the unladen weight limit for powered wheelchairs only;""the carriage of mobility scooters on public transport;""improved guidance and information for mobility vehicle users; and""replacing the legal term ““invalid carriage”” with a more suitable and contemporary term, and a review of how current legislation could be better enforced."Any improved safety measures will need to be considered in relation to the aims of the Red Tape Challenge.The Highway Code reminds users of the need to be conspicuous and this advice will be reiterated in any guidance and information produced by my Department.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
75513; 534 c284W
Session
2010-12
Related items
Mobility Scooters / Powered Wheelchairs
Thursday, 1 March 2012
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects
Mobility scooters Safety
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk