Mobility scooters in Devon and Cornwall have been involved in 53 collisions since 2013, a Freedom of Information request to the force have revealed.

The figures show that there were 14 incidents in 2013, six in 2014, 12 in 2015, seven in 2016 and 14 in 2017. No collisions had been recorded in 2018.

A description of the collision was also provided in the information given as part of the Freedom of Information Request, although in some instances they refer to two vehicles without making it clear which vehicle is the mobility scooter.

No locations for the incidents are provided and although the descriptions provide a cause or reason for the collisions, there are no details as to if anyone was charged with any offence are provided.

The 53 incidents included:

-Driver of a mobility scooter waiting at a junction activated the throttle instead of the brake and struck a parked vehicle.

-Mobility scooter travelling along a pavement when a vehicle reversed out of a driveway, causing damage to the scooter and injury to the rider.

-A vehicle caught the front side of a scooter before speeding off.

-Vehicle parked on a footpath. The Mobility Scooter asked the driver to move. The vehicle reversed into the front of the scooter, causing damage, and then drove off.

-Pedestrian knocked down by an electric buggy.

-Driver of a mobility scooter turned left, changed her mind, and then turned back out onto the street without looking.

-Motobility scooter was waiting at a Pelican Crossing to cross. Vehicle one pulled off and made a right turn at the same time the Motobility Scooter moved onto the crossing.

-A van was driving down a hill when a mobility scooter cut across its path and the van was unable to avoid colliding with it.

-Mobility Scooter did a U-turn and tried to turn the wrong way up the street, when a vehicle collided with the front of the scooter.

-Electric Mobility Scooter was stationary at a junction. A vehicle overtook it and pulled around the front of the scooter and collided with it.

-A vehicle was leaving a Disabled Parking Area when another vehicle reversed from a loading area into it.

-Mobility Scooter was travelling down a steep hill, lost control, and the driver fell out.

-A vehicle has almost cleared a Zebra crossing when a mobility scooter entered the crossing and drove into the side of the vehicle.

-Mobility Scooter rider and a pedestrian were using a crossing when one of the wheels of a scooter ran over the foot of a pedestrian.

-A Mobility Scooter was travelling through the pedestrian area of roadworks when it went into the road without warning and collided with a vehicle.

-Mobility Scooter was pulling out of a junction and had to break suddenly due to traffic. Vehicle was travelling too close to it and collided with the rear of it,

The FOI also revealed that in the same time period, 38 mobility scooters were stolen at an estimated total value of £34,955.

THE LAW ON USING MOBILITY SCOOTERS ON THE ROAD

Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs come in two categories. Class 2 carriages can’t be used on the road (except where there isn’t a pavement) and have a maximum speed of 4mph, while class 3 carriages can be used on the road, and have a maximum speed of 4mph off the road, and 8mph on the road.

The scooters are banned from using bus lanes, cycle lanes and motorways, but can be used on footpaths.

You can only drive a mobility scooter or powered wheelchair if you:

-have trouble walking because of an injury, physical disability or medical condition

-are demonstrating the vehicle before it’s sold

-are training a disabled user

-are taking the vehicle to or from maintenance or repair

You don’t have to pay vehicle tax for any mobility scooter or powered wheelchair, but you still need to register class 3 invalid carriages.