Motorized Mobility Scooter Use and Knowledge of the Rules And Etiquette: A Survey

Abstract

Aims: Motorized mobility scooters (MMS) may increase occupational participation for individuals with mobility limitations. However, safety concerns exist for device users, pedestrians and other vehicles with use of MMS in public locations. This study aimed to determine if users of MMS comprehend and apply relevant road regulations and practice etiquette appropriate for MMS use within the community.

Method: MMS users over 18 years in the Western Australian region completed a survey design with quantitative and qualitative descriptors.

Results: A non-experimental exploratory descriptive study utilized a survey design collected data on users’ comprehension and application of MMS road rules and etiquette guidelines. Twenty-seven participants completed the survey.

Conclusion: There is a dearth of understanding among MMS users of the exact pedestrian road rules and etiquette practices to abide by. Further high quality studies are needed to determine accuracy and transferability of results across the expansive MMS user population.

Keywords:

• Electric scooter
• powered mobility device
• guidelines
• policies
• safety
• MMS

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Royal Automobile Club of Western Australia under the Grass Roots Grant [GR.191]; and Edith Cowan University under an Industry Collaborative Grant Scheme [G1002593: SUB/71116].