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	TX: 22.03.05 - Motorised Wheelchairs PRESENTER: JOHN WAITE

	Downloaded from www.bbc.co.uk/radio4 THE ATTACHED TRANSCRIPT WAS TYPED FROM A RECORDING AND NOT COPIED FROM AN ORIGINAL SCRIPT. BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF MISHEARING AND THE DIFFICULTY IN SOME CASES OF IDENTIFYING INDIVIDUAL SPEAKERS, THE 麻豆约拍 CANNOT VOUCH FOR ITS COMPLETE ACCURACY. 听 WAITE Last year according to government statistics eight people died and more than 1100 were involved in what are called adverse incidents involving motorised wheelchairs, which of course are used by many pensioners and people with disabilities. Indeed during a debate this month in the House of Commons even the health minister with responsibility for wheelchairs, Stephen Ladyman, referred to "Hell's grannies" perambulating through some constituencies at speeds of up to eight miles an hour. Well now an MP is calling for regulation of such electric vehicles, he's the Liberal Democrat Bob Russell and he's been telling me what sparked his concern. RUSSELL I was contacted by the Essex Disabled People's Association who were alarmed not so much with the new mechanised wheelchairs but rather the second-hand market because dealers are reputable and other organisations that sell these machines brand new to people who have a need for them clearly make sure that the machine is suitable for the person for whom it has been purchased. The problem seems to come in with the second-hand market. It's a sad fact of life that for many people for whom the machine is purchased, the original, brand new machine, is that it outlasts the person for whom it was bought and therefore it goes on the second-hand market, indeed third-hand market and this is where the problems come in because a well meaning nephew buying something for auntie, it may not be appropriate and then we come into what is the relevant machine, what about the maintenance regime, third party insurance and so on. And last year, according to the minister in the debate we had in the House of Commons, eight people died as a result of these machines and indeed over a thousand incidents involving injury were also recorded last year. WAITE So statistics that bear out just how dangerous these motorised wheelchairs can be. But you're not denying they also can be a boon? RUSSELL Absolutely, I mean that's the whole thrust of my debate and the whole thrust of what the Essex Disabled People's Association are saying, this is actually a boon and I stressed that in my debate and unfortunately the minister's comment about them being "Hell's grannies" seemed to be seized upon by the press and I think the wrong impression has come over and unfortunately some people feel that I'm attacking wheelchairs, far from it. WAITE So what is wrong then Mr Russell with the current legislation that covers this area? RUSSELL Well there doesn't appear to be any legislation, it's very muddled, there's various government departments. The good news is that the government just before Christmas, running into January this year, issued a consultation paper and the jury, as it were, is still out on that, analysing responses. WAITE So at the moment we have a situation where, as I understand it, owners don't need insurance or indeed proof that they're fit enough to drive the vehicle or indeed that it's properly maintained, these are all areas you would like to see tackled? RUSSELL Absolutely, for the interests of the user, as well as those who may come into contact literally in some cases - I had a constituent within days of my debate sending me photographs of what happened to her. She was walking down Colchester High Street and she was knocked unconscious by one of these wheelchairs that ran into her, every limb on her body was injured in some way, she had to be carted off to hospital and she was badly mauled. And I had a case at Holland-on-Sea, near Clacton, where a user, sadly her wheelchair went over the promenade, she hit the beach, the machine hit her - fell on top of her - and killed her. So we're talking here of life and death literally in those cases. And I am concerned that there are some people using these machines who perhaps are not using the right machine, they may not be competent and we need to find ways to help them. WAITE And these machines, just to be clear for people, they can weigh a hundred kilograms, a couple of hundred pounds, they can travel at eight miles an hour, so they could do a lot of damage to a child or, as you say, adult if there was a collision? RUSSELL They could indeed. I'd also say that so could cycles on pavements, which is another of the bees in my bonnet that we need to tackle as well. WAITE Well of course on that point wheelchair users' groups already have reacted strongly at your comments and said you're meddling and if you're going to have regulation for electric wheelchairs why not for cyclists. RUSSELL Well in fact there is regulations for cyclists on pavements, that's the whole point, there is legislation for that. But I would come back to say that regrettably some of those who have made comments have based it on a false premise, namely the premise that I'm attacking mechanised wheelchairs when that is not the case, it's the second-hand market, it's the maintenance, it's the insurance, it's the competence of the person to drive the appropriate machine, which is most suited for them, these are the issues and any responsible organisation dealing with those with disabilities would welcome this, they shouldn't be alarmed by it. WAITE Lib Dem MP Bob Russell bringing the time to exactly 12.29. Back to the Transcripts homepage Back to the You and Yours homepage The 麻豆约拍 is not responsible for external websites

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