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Question

Difficulty: HardPowered Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters

You are driving behind an 8 mph Class 3 invalid carriage along a multi-lane urban road. Approaching a busy roundabout where the rider signals right, the vehicle slows down and stays near the left-hand kerb rather than moving into the right-hand lane. What should you anticipate regarding the rider's intentions?

  1. A
    The rider has used the wrong indicator and is legally required to complete the roundabout entirely from the left lane.
  2. The rider may stop on the left to wait for a safe gap in traffic or navigate the turn using pedestrian crossing facilities.Answer
  3. C
    The rider is pulling over to park at the kerb because powered mobility vehicles are banned from entering roundabouts.
  4. D
    The rider is unaware of following traffic due to blind spots and is likely to swerve directly across into the right-hand lane.

Answer

The rider may stop on the left to wait for a safe gap in traffic or navigate the turn using pedestrian crossing facilities.
Under Highway Code Rule 44, riders of powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters turning right at busy junctions or roundabouts may stop on the left to wait for a safe gap in traffic or navigate the turn using pedestrian crossing facilities instead of moving into the right-hand lane.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the vehicle class and operating characteristics.
The vehicle is a Class 3 invalid carriage (maximum road speed 8 mph), which is considerably slower and more vulnerable than standard motor traffic.
Class 3 mobility vehicles have specific provisions under the Highway Code to protect vulnerable users at complex junctions.
2
Apply Highway Code rules for right-turning invalid carriages and mobility scooters.
According to Highway Code Rule 44, when turning right in dense or fast traffic, mobility scooter riders may find it safer to stop on the left and wait for a safe gap, or temporarily move onto the pavement/pedestrian crossing facilities.
Moving into the center or right-hand lane of a multi-lane roundabout can expose slow-moving mobility vehicles to significant danger.
3
Determine the appropriate driver response.
Anticipate that the rider is executing a planned safety manoeuvre, give them plenty of room, and do not assume they are turning immediately into your path or merely parking.
Recognising this specific Highway Code procedure prevents collisions and avoids pressurising the vulnerable road user.

Key Concept

Negotiating complex junctions and right turns in a Class 3 mobility vehicle under Highway Code rules
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Powered Wheelchairs and Mobility Scooters

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