By NATALIE GALLENTI
MELTON Police have been left dumbfounded after receiving reports of mobility scooters being used in heavy traffic on local roads.
Leading Senior Constable Allan Edwards told Star motorists have reported seeing people riding scooters, which can only reach very low speeds, on busy roadways.
Leading Sen Const Edwards said he recently spotted a scooter going against the traffic and warned users they could face possible fines and were putting their lives and the lives of others at risk.
“There’s no reason for them not to use the footpath,” he said.
“A couple of blokes have even been banned from Woodgrove Shopping Centre…because of the way they were using their scooters.”
“The last thing a motorist expects to see is that on the road.”
Leading Sen Const Edwards said people who use a device like a mobility scooter should consider themselves like any other pedestrian and were expected to adhere to the same rules.
“People using these devices, which are limited to 10km per hour and are designed for use by people with limited ability to walk, are pedestrians, and as such must use footpaths and not roadways, the same as any other pedestrian.”
He said police have also received complaints about the manner in which people are using these devices in crowded areas describing their behaviour as “irresponsible and dangerous”.
He urged users to visit the VicRoads website and read the guidelines on how to use these devices correctly.
