MEDIA RELEASE
Horizons Regional Council

Friday 11 November, 2011

Spotlight on scooting safely

Mobility scooters were put through their paces at the Victoria Esplanade in Palmerston North today as part of an annual fun and safety day hosted by Horizons Regional Council.

Around 50 riders from Levin, Feilding, Wanganui and Palmerston North participated in the event where they navigated their way through a series of obstacles and tested their speed with the help of police.

Horizons road safety coordinator Debbie Webster described the event as “a fun day out with a serious safety message”.

“You don’t have to sit a test to drive a mobility scooter, but you do need to be aware of your surroundings and drive defensively to keep yourself and others safe.”

“Fitting a flag to the back at a height of at least one and half metres and driving in the middle of the footpath are two good ways to stay safe and be seen”, she said.

Traffic constable Warwick Denby supported Ms Webster’s message, advising riders to be conscious of pedestrians and road users and stick to speeds of around 6-7km.

“If you see a vehicle, slow down. Like a kid on a pushbike scooters can be difficult to spot and just because you’ve seen them doesn’t mean they’ve seen you”, he said.

Mobility scooter groups operate in most urban centres and provide an opportunity for riders to get together and compare notes.

Anyone interested in joining a group or finding out more about mobility scooter safety in the region can contact Horizons’ road safety coordinators on 0508 800 800.

ENDS

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