Mobility scooters ‘overlooked’ as collision data remains high

The number of people killed and injured in mobility scooter collisions on Britain’s roads remains concerningly high, experts say, warning that this vulnerable group continues to be overlooked.

The latest DfT data shows 12 people were killed and 323 people were injured in collisions involving mobility scooters in 2024. The casualties included mobility scooter riders, pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers and passengers involved in the crashes.

This represents one of the highest annual totals on record, with 335 people killed or injured in incidents involving mobility scooters. Of these, 277 were mobility scooter users, highlighting the disproportionate risks faced by this vulnerable group.

The data has been released by insurance intermediary Surewise as part of its Safer Mobility campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the increased risks facing mobility scooter users.

They say the figures expose a growing and often overlooked road safety problem affecting people of all ages who rely on mobility scooters as an essential means of independence, many of whom are disabled or living with long-term health conditions.

The figures, analysed by Agilysis, highlight the need for local authorities and road safety partnerships to build a clearer picture of where and how mobility scooter users are being put at risk, and to strengthen measures to protect them.

Richard Hannan, director at Surewise, said: “These figures should be a wake-up call that mobility scooter users are being overlooked in road safety policy, street design and public awareness.”

The Safer Mobility campaign is calling for mobility scooter users to be explicitly included in the Hierarchy of Road Users within the Highway Code, alongside pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road user groups, to strengthen their recognition and protection on the road.