60mph mobility scooters cause chaos

ELDERLY Chinese people have been causing problems by flouting traffic laws in souped-up mobility scooters at speeds of up to 60mph.

The owners of the high performance vehicles are jumping red lights and even driving on motorways and the wrong way down roads.

Demand for mobility vehicles has been surging, with the country’s elderly seeking more independence. Instead of waiting for a son or daughter to take them out for a day’s shopping or sightseeing, many elderly have turned to their own sleek, modern-looking vehicles, some of which are based on the latest sporty Audi or Mini Cooper models.

Becoming an official car owner is a major headache in China as cities often ask motorists to apply for a limited number of registration plates as a means of cutting road congestion.

But the mobility vehicles do not need to be registered and drivers are not required to hold licences.

Beijing Television carried an undercover report earlier this month highlighting how they are often seen jumping red lights as the authorities cannot identify who owns them.