Mobility scooter death leads to call for law change

A CORONER has called for a change in the law following the death of a pensioner who was severely injured while driving his mobility scooter.

William Pealing, 86, died months after he was hit by a car while he drove across a busy road in Derby “without looking, or slowing or stopping”.

The most recent figures show that 14 mobility scooter users were killed in 2016 – up from just one five years ago – with a further 61 incidents classed as “serious”. Mr Pealing died on Jan 17 2017, primarily from lung disease. But it emerged his mobility scooter had been hit by a Vauxhall Corsa 10 months earlier. His inquest heard how he suffered a brain injury and the accident played a “more than minimal” part in his death. Mr Pealing kept his head “looking forward” and “did not appear to look to his right or left” before entering the road, the inquest heard. There are currently no laws governing who can buy a scooter, other than having to be 14 or over to drive one.

Louise Pinder, Derbyshire’s assistant coroner, recorded a narrative verdict and said she would write on behalf of his family to Chris Grayling, the Transport Secretary, asking for a change in legislation in which a “medical professional assesses fitness to drive a mobility scooter” and “issues a certificate”.