Saturday Booking As you know, members are able to use our service usually without the need to ring up and book in advance, we have however had a few problems arranging cover for Saturdays (which is our quietest day) and it’s not always possible to organise cover for the volunteers. As a result, on a couple of occasions we’ve been shut on Saturday. As a precaution, if any of you are likely to need a scooter on a Saturday please ring first. Freephone 0800 298 3656. Ricability The Department of Transport has commissioned Ricability to carry out independent research on what would make taxis more accessible. Their research is completely independent to ensure an unbiased view, but they would welcome Shopmobility users’ opinion on this. If you have any views or comments please contact David Yielding on 020 7427 2460 for more details. |
Blue Badge There is clearly a great deal of confusion amongst Blue Badge holders about how they are supposed to correctly display their badges, hardly a week goes past without somebody coming in to the office and complaining that they’ve been given a ticket when they were displaying a badge. We now have copies of the full regulations on display in the office and have reproduced an extract below. You must display the badge on top of the dashboard or facia panel of the vehicle with the front of the badge (i.e. the side showing the wheelchair-user symbol) facing forward so that the relevant details are legible from outside the vehicle when parked. If the vehicle does not have a dashboard or facia panel you must exhibit the badge in a conspicuous position on the vehicle so that the relevant details are legible from outside the vehicle when using the parking benefits. It is also a good idea to position the clock as near to the nearside (passenger side) as possible so that all the details are fully visible to someone standing on the pavement. Code of Practice for class 3 vehicle users The following is an extract from the above leaflet, which is available from: The Mobility Unit, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, 1/11 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London. SW1P 4DR What is a Class 3
Vehicle? Class 1 – manual wheelchair, i.e. self-propelled or attendant propelled, not electrically powered. Class 2 – powered wheelchairs and scooters, for footway use only with a maximum speed limit of 4mph. Class 3 – powered wheelchairs and other outdoor powered vehicles including scooters, for use on roads/highways with a maximum speed limit of 8 mph. And facility to travel at 4mph. on footways. What ‘Rules of
the Road’ should I follow? Class 3 vehicles should not be used if you are under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medication that may affect your driving ability. If you are in any doubt, consult a doctor. On Footways Show consideration for pedestrians, particularly elderly people or those who are blind, partially sighted, deaf or hard of hearing. Although class 3 vehicles can legally travel at 4mph. On footways or in pedestrian areas, it is not always safe to travel at this speed if pedestrians are not able to move out of the way quickly enough. E.g. in a crowded shopping precinct. You can take advantage of pelican crossings when in 4 mph mode in order to cross from one footway to another. On the Road?When on the road, drive with due care and attention, always travelling in the direction of the traffic, obeying traffic signs and signals and give way to pedestrians who are crossing at junctions or pedestrians crossings. Keep a special look out for children crossing roads because they may lack the skills and experience to negotiate traffic safely. |