User Guide
Contents
1. NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust The People for People over 50 A Scooter Driver s Guide This booklet is a component of The Scooter Safe Training Resource funded by the NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust conducted jointly by the Council on the Ageing ACT COTA and Able Access The objective of the Resource is to improve the safety of scooter users by providing a tested training programme which can be implemented through community health services and health professionals The Resource has been written by Chris Marcar Occupational Therapist of Able Access with illustrations by Jennifer McElwee Thanks are expressed to Allan Brownsdon and supporting staff at COTA ACT for their assistance throughout the project Disclaimer The Council on the Ageing ACT Inc and Able Access has prepared this guide with funding by the NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust The information in this guide has been written in good faith and based on information contained in various publications and provided by various experts in the field Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information contained in this guide is as accurate as possible the Council on the Ageing ACT Inc Able Access and the NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust takes no responsibility for any errors omissions or other mistakes Before relying on material in this guide the user should carefully evaluate its accuracy Currency completeness and relevance to their particular purpose Copyrigh2. tyre gauge e Lubricant such as WD40 or RP7 e Screw driver spanner pliers e Cloth for wiping down parts 12 REFERENCES Road Users Handbook 2000 Sydney Roads and Traffic Authority NSW BIBLIOGRAPHY Access Consultancy 1999 Where can go in my scooter Using a scooter in the built environment ndependent Living 1503 O Draft Users Guide Electric wheelchair and scooter users Your rights and responsibilities 1998 Unpublished booklet available from Main Roads Western Australia Fraser P 1996 How scooters work Independent Living Autumn 10 12 Information for motorised wheelchair safety 2000 Sydney Roads and Traffic Authority NSW Mabon C 1989 Motorized Scooters LC Update Issue No 115 Maintenance of Manual Wheelchairs Motorized Wheelchairs amp Scooters Booklet Independent Living Centre of SA Inc Sloane J and Wu M 1989 Have Scooter Will Travel Inde pendent Living Winter 16 17 Wyatt B 2000 Safe Scooting Health and safety measures Unpublished 13 Self Assessment Checklist The following are essential skills required for the safe use of motorised wheelchairs In the absence of formalised assessments or licensing it is advisable to check yourself against these skills If you answer no to any questions check with your Occupational Therapist who may be able to advise you if adaptations or modifications can be made to your motorised wheelchair to compe
3. for emergencies 2 HOW TO TRAVEL SAFELY cont Good Habits Use the racks and baskets on your motorised wheelchair to carry things rather than using you lap Always keep your feet on the floor pad whilst in motion Lock the seat assembly before moving Check that the rear view mirror hasn t been knocked or moved before moving off Always turn the key to the OFF position when stopped or when getting on or off your motorised wheelchair Never make sharp turns at high speed Slow down when com ing to a turn Never stop on an incline to rest or dismount The motorised wheelchair may roll or tip when you restart When you are in a crowded area eg in a shopping mall travel at the speed others are walking HOW TO TRAVEL SAFELY cont Know Your Motorised Wheelchair On some soft gravel or sand turn your motorised wheelchair 360 to see its turning circle Knowing the space required for turning will assist you when manoeuvring in tight spaces Check your motorised wheelchair manual for the maximum gradient or incline your motorised wheelchair can climb Keep within this rating as a guide longer ramps designed for wheelchairs should be 1 14 and are sometimes 1 12 and kerb ramps pram ramps should be 1 8 Check you motorised wheelchair manual for the weight Avoid temporary structures such as wooden platforms or ramps unless you are certain they can withstand the combined weight of yourself and your motorised wheelchai
4. short distances it may be easier to leave your scooter outside shops or designated accessible toilets Parking Your Motorised Wheelchair When parking you motorised wheelchair remember to leave clearance around the motorised wheelchair for those using wheelchairs or trying to manoeuvre prams or shopping trolleys You must not cause an obstruction to other pedestrians Remember to switch off and take your key with you Remember to park in a sheltered spot if possible Using Your Motorised Wheelchair If you use your motorised wheelchair at night lights and reflectors should be installed The Road Transport Authorities of ACT and NSW recommend 1 A flashing or steady white light s that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the front 2 A flashing or steady red light s that is clearly visible for at least 200 metres from the rear and 3 A red reflector s that is clearly visible for at least 50 metres from the rear of the motorised wheelchair when light is projected onto it by a vehicle s headlight on low beam 8 TRANSPORTING MOTORISED WHEELCHAIRS Motorised wheelchairs are very heavy and difficult to lift Motorised wheelchairs can be dismantled into several components however the battery and motors may still be too heavy for some people to lift Equipment for lifting Equipment is available to assist you to lift the motorised wheelchair in parts or fully assembled Battery operated lifts can be installed i
5. egistry Where a footpath is provided you should use it It is an offense to use you motorised wheelchair when your blood alcohol level is above 05 The maximum speed you can travel is 10 km hr You must not obstruct the path of any driver or another pedes trian HOW TO TRAVEL SAFELY Plan Your Journey Plan your journey carefully You may be able to find a route that avoids busy intersections and allows you to keep to footpaths Travel along quieter streets if possible even if it means a longer journey Know where there are kerb ramps or driveways that you can use for safe road crossings Where Can You Go You can use a motorised wheelchair on footpaths dual use paths bicycle paths and in most shopping malls You cannot use a road if a No Pedestrian Sign is displayed usually found on a freeway Prepare Yourself Assess yourself using the Self Assessment Checklist Appen dix 1 to make sure you can satisfy all the basic requirements for a safe usage Check that any new medication will not impair your judgement and affect your driving skills Always use a hat and sunscreen Think about getting a shade cover if you travel long distances Make sure that covers such as rain covers do not obstruct your vision or hearing whilst using the motorised wheelchair Make yourself as visible as possible by wearing brightly coloured clothing and something reflective at night If possible carry a mobile phone
6. n the boot of the car Trailers are available which include a ramp The motorised wheelchair can be driven onto the trailer then secured with the ramp folding to form a resistant By folding down the tiller some motorised wheelchairs can fit in some cars especially station wagons A portable ramp into the rear tray of the car can be used to wheel the motorised wheelchair into the vehicle Restraints It is strongly advised that you transfer off the motorised wheelchair when travelling in a vehicle You and the motorised wheelchair cannot be effectively restrained in the event of and accident Restraints that resist a force of 25 times the weight of the motorised wheelchair in a forward direction must be installed to tie it down MOTORISED WHEELCHAIR BREAKDOWNS If the motorised wheelchair breaks down in the home contact your supplier Note that if parts are still under warranty you will need approval from the supplier for another agent to repair it A call out fee may be charged Mobile Phone Always carry a mobile phone preferably within easy reach Have the emergency breakdown phone number registered on your mobile phone for easy calling On the Road Emergency Contact NRMA Road Service on 131111 for assistance with tyre problems or punctures however they cannot assist with electronics or flat batteries This is a free road side emer gency call out service for all motorised wheelchair users 10 MAINTENANCE Importa
7. nce of routine maintenance Take particular care when cleaning Do not let the motorised wheelchair controls on the tiller get wet Recharge the battery nightly when used Avoid batteries becoming discharged to below 30 of power When recharging place by an open window to avoid any danger of fumes Do not recharge in the room being used for sleeping Weekly check Check tyre pressures regularly You should refer to your owner s manual for information of recommended tyre pres sure Your local service station may assist you with this Check for any sign of wear or cracking on the tyre Charge your battery at least weekly if your machine is not in regular use Check that your horn still works Most batteries are dry cell gel batteries and are sealed therefore do not require water and are spill proof BUT If batteries are wet cell acid batteries e Check water level and top up with distilled water if neces Sary e Clean off white powder build up on terminals and coat with petroleum jelly Keep battery housing clean by removing batteries clean out with hot water and dry thoroughly Check hand brake if fitted and apply lubricant if necessary 11 MAINTENANCE CONT Annual Check Have your motorised wheelchair serviced once a year to ensure that it is reliable and in good working order Repair Agencies Contact your supplier Maintenance Kit Suggestions for a maintenance kit include the following e Tyre pump
8. nsate for these skills or if another mobility option is advised Co Ordination and Strength LI Can I manipulate the controls eg turn the key adjust the dials use the accelerator O Can I steer and turn in tight corners O Can I turn my head to look to the side or behind if reversing Physical Balance amp Endurance L Can keep my balance when travelling over rough or uneven ground O Can I adjust my body position when travelling up or down slopes L Can I stay seated for extended periods of time L Can I stand or walk short distances Vision L Can I notice and move around obstacles in my field of vision L Can I notice moving objects and avoid collisions L Can I notice objects in the periphery of my vision eg motor vehicles or pedestrians around me Perception O Can I judge distances correctly L Can judge the speed of my own motorised wheelchair and other vehicles and pedestrians Thought Process amp Memory L Can remember all the safety procedures L Can I concentrate for lengthy periods O Can I react quickly for stopping or turning Feelings amp Judgement O Can I stay calm in difficult situations O Can I be patient with other people L Can I make good judgements in protecting my own safety and the safety of others 14
9. oad without making sure you can get back onto the footpath on the other side of the road Try to cross the road at traffic signals zebra crossings or an intersection with stop or give way signs Drivers cannot always see you behind a parked car Always take extra caution when driving in parking areas and crossing the road A high safety flag makes you more visible Never cross the road where you can t see the oncoming traffic because of a hill or curve in the road 6 SAFE DRIVING TIPS cont Crossing intersections You must cross as a pedestrian from footpath to footpath lf there are no kerb ramps onto the footpath cross as other pedestrians would and keep as close to the kerb as possible until you find a kerb ramp or driveway Crossing roundabouts It is best to avoid roundabouts especially if there are no footpaths or kerb ramps Advise the Roads and Traffic Authority RTA if there are inadequate pedestrian facilities at a roundabout If you must cross a roundabout cross each road as a pedes trian would If there are no kerb ramps cross the road well away from the roundabout SAFE DRIVING TIPS cont Using the Motorised Wheelchair Indoors In general you are allowed to go most places a pedestrian can go however remember the limitations of the motorised wheelchair s circulation space Avoid congested areas Travel slowly about walking pace especially in malls and busy areas If you are able to walk
10. r Taxi hoists have a maximum weight they are able to lift SAFE DRIVING TIPS Kerb Ramps Go straight up or down ramps or kerb ramps pram crossings not at an angle 4 SAFE DRIVING TIPS cont On Foot Paths Beware of vehicles reversing out of driveways When driving up behind a fellow pedestrian call out or toot the horn to let them know you are there Some motorised wheelchair travel very quietly and cannot be heard Ti On Bike Paths You are allowed to use dedicated cycle paths however keep to the left and be aware of the high speed of some cyclists Listen and use your rear vision mirror On the road When travelling on the road keep as far to the left or right side of the road as practicable Travelling on the right edge of the road with traffic coming towards you is safer Use caution when riding you motorised wheelchair on rough edges of roads You must not travel alongside more than one other pedestrian on the road unless you are overtaking Road Rule SAFE DRIVING TIPS cont When passing parked cars watch out for doors being opened in your path or a vehicle moving off without indicating Remember that your wheelchair or scooter is not as powerful or conspicuous as other vehicles Crossing the road When crossing the road you must completely leave the road including the shoulder of the road Road Rule This requires some planning to find driveways or kerb ramps Never cross the r
11. t Council on the Ageing ACT Inc and Able Access 2002 This publication is copyright No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic mechanical photocopying recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright holder Permission is hereby given for this publication to be freely copied for distribution to scooter users potential scooter users cares occupational therapists medical personal and others working in related areas within Australia provided that the content of the publication is not changed in any way and due recognition of the copyright holders and the NRMA ACT Road Safety Trust is given and that no fee is charged for the publication other than direct recovery of production costs TABLE OF CONTENTS RULES OF THE ROAD HOW TO TRAVEL SAFELY SAFE DRIVING TIPS TRANSPORTING MOTORISED WHEELCHAIRS MOTORISED WHEELCHAIR BREAKDOWNS MAINTENANCE REFERENCES BIBLIOGRAPHY SELF ASSESSMENT CHECKLIST 13 13 14 RULES OF THE ROAD Australian Road Rules Under the Australian Road Rules when you are driving a motorised wheelchair you are classified as a pedestrian and must follow the same rules as pedestrians Although you are considered a pedestrian Knowing what to expect of traffic will make your travel safer It may be useful to Study The Road Users Handbook which is available from any Motor R
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