Evidence from a cohort of able bodied adults to support the need for driver training for motorized scooters before community participation

ObjectiveThis study sought to utilize the implementation of a new competency test in order to define skills required to safely drive a motorized scooter. This test endeavours to reduce the number of driving and pedestrian related accidents, by determining an acceptable level of driver skill and awareness.MethodsHealthy subjects, who might at some time use a motorized scooter for mobility, were recruited from the local community. Each undertook a driver competency test including basic driving skills, traffic and multiple tasks. Ten subjects repeated the test three times to determine practice effect on proficiency.ResultsThirty-three of the 50 participating subjects (mean age 34 years) failed at least one test item. Basic skills of reversing, weave and zigzag, and all traffic and performing multiple simultaneous tasks produced failures.ConclusionDriving skills for motorized scooters need to be taught and learned with assessment for competency recommended before unrestricted community driving is allowed.Practice implicationsBasic driving skills including weaving, steering in reverse and traffic and multiple tasking need to be taught and tested for all new users of this equipment.