(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police Norfolk County Detachment have received several complaints from the motoring public regarding scooters being operated on the roadway.
The OPP have received several reports from citizens that have encountered people operating their personal mobility scooter on the roadway with visibility being the main concern.
Motorists are not seeing the scooters due to lack of illumination on the scooter and the occupant. Scooter operators should consider as much illumination as possible such as reflective tape across the front and back of the scooter and visible lights. Operators should be wearing reflective vests or clothing to remain visible to traffic at all times in order to ensure their safety when travelling.
It is also important to know whether these vehicles can or cannot legally operate on our roads and the safety requirements that must be met.
A wheelchair, Mobility Scooter, Motorized Personal Mobility Device can be operated on the sidewalks of Norfolk County however if travelling on the roadway, the operator must travel along the left shoulder of the roadway facing oncoming traffic in the same fashion as pedestrians.
New types of vehicles and devices are arriving in the market place every day. The Ontario Provincial Police recognize the importance of these new market innovations as they expand mobility options for and ask the public to be vigilant when travelling on the roadway with a personal mobility device.
The Ontario Provincial Police primary focus in public safety and security and safety is a top priority for the OPP. The safe integration of new and innovative vehicles with other vehicles and pedestrians is a key consideration,†comments Inspector Zvonko Horvat, Norfolk County OPP Detachment Commander.