Tips for riding on the road

The law says that you must use the footpath if it is readily accessible. However, where you must use the road, keep to the following guidelines to ensure your safety.

• Always travel on the left-hand side of the road and as close to the edge of the road as possible.
• Obey all traffic signs and signals, and give way to pedestrians who are crossing. Look out for children, because they often lack the skills and experience to negotiate traffic safely.
• Be aware that your power chair or mobility scooter is not as powerful or as conspicuous as other vehicles on the road.
• Watch out for obstructions in the road ahead, such as drains, potholes and parked cars. When passing parked cars, watch out for doors being opened in your path, or a vehicle moving off without indicating.
• If you have indicators, use them. If not, use hand signals. Try not to startle pedestrians if you use a warning device (e.g., a horn).
• If you need to go on the road regularly, consider getting your scooter or power chair fitted with indicators, lights, a horn, reversing beepers, warning flags and rear-vision mirrors.