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Difficulty: MediumPowered Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters

You are driving along a narrow residential street where vehicles are parked on both sides. Ahead, you catch up with a powered wheelchair travelling on the left side of the carriageway. What should you do as you approach?

  1. A
    Sound your horn to intimidate the rider into pulling over immediately onto the pavement
  2. Stay well back, match the wheelchair's speed, and wait until there is a clear road ahead and ample room to pass safelyAnswer
  3. C
    Squeeze closely past the wheelchair immediately at normal speed before oncoming traffic approaches
  4. D
    Accelerate past quickly while fixating solely on the wheelchair, disregarding gaps between the parked cars

Answer

Hold back at a safe distance behind the powered wheelchair, adjust your speed, and wait until oncoming traffic is clear and you have enough space to give plenty of clearance when overtaking.
Powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters travel at relatively slow speeds (a maximum of 8 mph on the road) and have a low profile. When navigating narrow residential streets with parked vehicles, drivers must stay well back, remain patient, and avoid pressuring the rider. Drivers should only pass when the road ahead is completely clear of oncoming vehicles and there is enough lateral space to give generous clearance.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Recognise the vulnerability and limited speed of the powered wheelchair user on the road
Driver identifies that the wheelchair travels at a slow pace (up to 8 mph) and cannot quickly accelerate out of danger.
Powered wheelchair users and mobility scooters sit low to the ground and have little physical protection.
2
Assess the driving environment, including parked vehicles, road width, and oncoming traffic
Driver recognises that a narrow street lined with parked cars cannot safely accommodate an immediate overtaking manoeuvre.
Overtaking without sufficient room or clear forward visibility poses extreme risks to all road users.
3
Drop back to a safe following distance and remain patient until a safe overtaking opportunity emerges
The driver overtakes only when the road is clear, providing at least the same passing clearance as given to a cyclist or motorcyclist.
Maintaining appropriate clearance protects the vulnerable user from sudden drafts, road surface changes, and collisions.

Key Concept

Safe following distance and overtaking clearance when encountering powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters on the road
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Powered Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters

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