A CORONER has said mobility scooter users should have to pass a test before they are allowed to travel in public at an inquest into the death of a North Yorkshire pensioner.
Ron Archbold, 85, of Queen Ann’s Drive, Bedale, who suffered from serious sight problems, was killed as he crossed a junction in the town last September when he “bolted out” in front of a car.
Michael Oakley, coroner for North Yorkshire East, told the inquest into Mr Archbold’s death there were currently no laws governing who could ride a mobility scooter.
He said he would be writing to the Government asking for them to be introduced.
The Department for Transport has said that although it is developing plans for a pilot scheme where users would be given standard eye tests, formal training was not planned.
A verdict of accidental death was recorded, with accident investigator Traffic Constable Paul Davenport telling the hearing the car which Mr Archbold collided with “should have been clearly visible to him”.
But he said Mr Archbold’s eyesight problems “had an impact” on the accident.
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