The National Transport Commission (NTC) is to examine Australia’s Road Rules to weed out barriers to and restrictions on the use of innovative vehicles and ‘mobility devices’ for frail and immobile people in the community.
Acting Chief Executive of the NTC, Graham Giannini, said Australians wanted more options for the safe and legal use of their mobility devices but the nation’s road rules often didn’t allow them.
“Current Regulations do not allow the use of innovative vehicles such as electric scooters, skateboards and unicycles on public roads and footpaths,” Mr Giannini said.
“Commuters want alternative forms of transport, yet we don’t have a national framework to accommodate new and emerging vehicles and devices.”
He said the NTC investigation was aimed at finding ways to encourage greater mobility and provide safe and easy access for innovative vehicles on Australian public infrastructure.
He said the investigation would also review the use of motorised devices such as motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters, to determine whether current laws meet the needs of people with disabilities and mobility limitations.
“We estimate that there are at least 150,000 motorised mobility devices currently in operation in Australia, and there is confusion as to how they should be operated in public areas,” Mr Giannini said.
He said the NTC had published an issues paper seeking comments from industry, regulators, the disability services sector, State and Territory Governments and individuals.
“Submissions close on 28 February 2019,” Mr Giannini said.
“The NTC will then develop reform options and make policy recommendations to transport ministers in May 2020.”
The 41-page NTC Issues Paper can be accessed at this PS News link.
