Keeping you safe in the riders seat - Department of Veterans' Affairs

Keeping you SA F E
in t h e r i d er’s s e at
a safety initiative for the
veteran community

Disclaimer
The Commonwealth of Australia shall not be responsible
for the results of any actions arising out of the use of
any information in this publication nor for any errors or
omissions contained therein.The publisher, the
Department of Veterans' Affairs, and the authors
expressly disclaim all liability to any person or anything
done or omitted to be done by any such person,in
particular, in respect of any injury, disease or death
occurring as a result,in reliance,whether whole or
partial,upon the whole or any part of the contents of
this publication.
For further information on this document contact DVA
on 133 254 or write to DVA Health
Promotion Unit, PO Box 21 WODEN ACT 2606.
Acknowledgments
The Department would like to thank:
– NSW Roads and Traffic Authority and RoadSafe
Wimmera Inc. for the original concept.
– Burt Hagel,Elsie Coleman and Helen Kryger for
appearing in the brochure.
– OT Australia – the Australian Association of
Occupational Therapists for reviewing, supporting
and endorsing this brochure.
– The WA Independent Living Centre (ILC) for reviewing
and supporting this brochure.
– The ACT Independent Living Centre (ILC) for the use of
their facilities for photographic
purposes and the provision of props and equipment.
Health Promotion Section
Department of Veterans' Affairs
© Commonwealth of Australia 2003
P771
September 2003
ILC Australia OT AUSTRALIA
Message from the
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Mobility is important to everyone, but often it is
not until we are older that we appreciate how
much we take for granted the ability to get
around.These days the motorised scooter has
become quite a common sight in the community
and it has opened up new opportunities for
disabled or older people to maintain an active,
independent lifestyle.
Keeping you safe in the rider's seat provides
important safety advice including the purchase,
operation and maintenance of a motorised
scooter. It has been published by my Department
as part of the Federal Government’s Choose
health! strategy, which aims to promote healthy
lifestyles for members of the veteran community.
This booklet will help you make the right choice
if you are thinking about buying a motorised
scooter. It will also help you make the most of
your scooter to participate in the life of your
community, maintain your independence and
enjoy life.
I trust you find this booklet useful and wish you
well for happy and safe travels in the rider’s seat.
Danna Vale
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs
Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence

ELIGIBILITY
There are Federal and State funded
programs that supply motorised
scooters and wheelchairs.The
Department of Veterans' Affairs will
only fund motorised scooters under
exceptional circumstances. Strict
eligibility criteria apply and include:
� The veteran having a war caused
injury or disease directly related
to their decreased mobility;
� The veteran having a severe and
permanent reduction in mobility;
and
� The veteran meeting a range of
functional and social criteria.
Your doctor and occupational therapist
can assess whether your circumstances
meet the criteria.
For further information about these
guidelines, please contact your DVA
State Office (numbers at the back of
this brochure).
B e fo re Pu rchasing a Sco o t e r
it is important to...
contact your doctor, an occupational
therapist at your local hospital or your
community health centre for advice
and information.
check with your doctor or physiotherapist
about the potential effect on your
fitness and well being, if using
a motorised scooter.
consider that a person must have a
disability or significantly reduced
mobility to legally use a scooter.
be sure there are safe routes in
your area and the places you intend
to visit cater for access with
a motorised scooter.
Motorised
scooter users
are defined as
pedestrians and
therefore must
travel on the
footpath.

What may affect my
scooter operating skills?
�
• Feeling tired or unwell.
• Prescription or over the
counter medicine you
may be taking.
• Alcohol may impair your ability
to operate your scooter safely.
• Forgetfulness or memory loss can affect your
ability to safely operate your scooter.
Wear your glasses and
hearing aid when using
your scooter and have
your eyesight and
hearing checked
regularly.
Do I know
current road rules?
Many road users have not been
tested on road rules since they sat
for their licence.
Knowing the current road rules and
what to expect of traffic will make
your travel safer.
Road rule books and other publications
are available from your local licensing
and registration authority.
� �
�

When on the footpath
remember to...
• Consider the safety of
other pedestrians.
• Keep to the left side of the
footpath, where safe.
• Use hand signals.
• Expect the unexpected –
watch for people coming out
of shops and cars reversing
out of driveways.
• Be aware of environmental
hazards such as railway lines,
pot holes, and drains.
When on the road
remember to...
• Travel close to the kerb.
• Travel against oncoming traffic.
• Try to establish eye contact with
oncoming drivers.
• Return to the footpath as soon
as possible.
• When on country roads special
care is required,as road edges
are often rough and vehicles
may travel at high speed.
When Crossing The Road
remember to...
• Choose a safe place to cro s s .
• Use a marked crossing if ava i l a b l e.
• STOP as close to the edge of the kerb as
you can.
• LOOK for t ra fic in all dire ct i o n s .
• L I STEN for t ra ffic you may not be able to see.
• WA IT if you are not s u re you can cross safe l y.
• C ross in a stra i g ht l i n e.

To Increase Your Safety
remember to...
• Wear lightly coloured clothing.
• Wear a high visibility vest.
• Attach a fluorescent orange flag
to your scooter, high enough to be
visible to pedestrians and drivers
(approx 1.8 – 2m high).
• Use lights if you have them.
• Reflectors or reflective tape on the
scooter increases your visibility.
General Safety &
Maintenance Tips
• Arrange an assessment and
training with your occupational
therapist prior to purchasing your scooter.
• Arrange insurance cover for yourself,
your scooter and other parties in case
of an accident.
• Alcohol and some medication may
affect your ability to operate your
scooter. Ask your doctor or pharmacist
for further informations.
• Check your tyres and battery regularly.
• Arrange a maintenance schedule with
your supplier.
• Store your scooter in a dry, secure place.
• Ensure you have approved storage to
safely carry any parcels.
Note:Thes issues are detailed in the
Rehabilitation Appliance Program (RAP)
National Guidelines. For further information
about these guidelines, contact your DVA State
Office (numbers listed on opposite page).

CHECK LIST for purchasing and using a scooter
��Is my co-ordination and strength good?
�
�
�
Can I manage controls e.g. turn key,
adjust dials, use the accelerator?
Can I steer and turn the scooter, even in
tight corners?
Can I turn my head to look to the side
or behind if reversing?
Is my physical balance and endura n ce go o d ?
Can I maintain balance when t rave l l i n
� a c ross uneven or rough t e r ra i n ?
�
�
�
Can I adjust my body position when
travelling outdoors or long distances?
Can I be seated for extended periods?
Can I get on and off the scoote
unassisted and without risk of falling?
Is my vision good?
Can I see and move around obstacles
� to avoid collisions?
Can I see moving objects at the edg
� of my vision e.g. motor vehicles or
pedestrians before they are too close?
�
Can I read the control panel?
Is my perception and judgement good?
Can I judge distances e.g . how close i
� an obstacle?
�
�
Can I judge the speed of the scooter,
vehicles and other pedestrians?
Can I judge the changes in paths and
road surfa ces e. g. kerb ramps at
d r i veways and cro s s i n g s ?

�CHECK LIST for purchasing and using a scooter
Where do I want to go?
� Can a scooter’s range cover the
distance involved?
� Are there footpaths to key destinations?
� Can I safely cross any roads I need to?
� If I have to travel on the road can I
avoid main roads, roundabouts and
heavy traffic?
� Can I t a ke the scooter into the shopping
ce nt re s, shops or other indoor facilities
I regularly use?
� Are the doorways wide enough to
accommodate my scooter?
� Is t h e re somew h e re safe to leave t h e
s co o t e r outside places where I
cannot take it?
� Can I lock my scooter?
�
Further Information
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Further information about motorised
scooters is available online
For additional copies of this brochure
or to contact the Department of
Veterans’ Affairs call: 133 254
or 1800 555 254
(Callers from Regional Australia)
State Offices
To contact your State Office call 133 254
To contact another State Office
call 1300 131 945
For full details of your nearest
Independent Living Centre and the
Australian Association of Occupational Therapist
please see www.ilc.asn.au
www.ausot.com.au