The mother of a woman who uses a mobility scooter says drivers in Blenheim need to be more aware of people on scooters waiting to cross at pedestrian crossings.
Barbara Gerken said drivers sometimes did not stop for her daughter Lisa Rolfe when she was waiting at some pedestrian crossings in central Blenheim.
The crossing on Main St and Market St near the post office and the crossing on Seymour St between Countdown and the Blenheim Library seemed to have the worst offenders, she said.
Ms Rolfe contacted the Express with her concerns about drivers not stopping and said she had almost been hit twice in several months.
"They don't stop. They don't see you," she said.
"I feel angry about it. I've had two incidents where a car has gone over the crossing and I could have been killed."
A friend of hers who also uses a mobility scooter had also had a few near misses, Ms Rolfe said.
Ms Gerken said she was not sure why some drivers did not stop and said it may be their attitude towards scooters.
"There are some people who are rude and go too fast," she said.
"People do not stop for them [scooters], they don't like stopping. I guess I'm more aware of it because I have a daughter on a scooter."
People such as her daughter, who has an intellectual disability, sometimes have trouble judging distances so do not necessarily know how far away cars are.
There may also be some confusion about who would give way if a car does not come to a complete stop and the person on the scooter is hesitant to cross, Ms Gerken said.
Some people who use mobility scooters may also benefit from refreshing their scooter-driving skills, she said.
- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG
Perhaps they should wait at the crossing til a driver sees them and lets them cross. Us drivers have the right of way.
Drivers in Mosgiel have to deal with those on mobility scooters who have a death wish on a daily basis. They think because they have four wheels that they should be able to ride them on the roads and cross at will without looking left , right or behind them. Stop blaming drivers of vehicles who have a legal right to drive on the roads.
I agree with Lisa.. I'm constantly stunned by the ignorance of "older drivers" behaviour whilst behind the wheel. I was bought up to respect the older generation so I always stop and allow them to cross the road safely at designated areas, but if I happen to be at one of the crossing areas myself it is without fail always someone older who drives past nose in the air and ignores those waiting patiently to cross. I'm in my 30's and the drivers that I see having the problem are those 40+. Passing dangerously/not concentrating/speeding... I see over confident cocky older drivers with little respect for others... I hope this improves but I doubt it!
blenheim drivers are shocking in general. but having said that drivers are shocking everywhere that i have been lately. this town has a real problem with pedestrians largely i believe due to there not being any traffic lights. therefore there is not the chance to cross safely in as many places.
ALSO as im sure most reasonable would be aware, there is much confusion as to what a pedestrian crossing is! technically a pedestrian crossing is where there is a sign at either side of said crossing. but this town has "faux" crossings all over it with no obligation to stop at most of them.
Nigels rules for safer foot traffic;
1) add more pedestrian crossings particularly between town and up grove rd
2)sign post all crossings that LOOK like crossings in town.
3) and while we are on the subject of transport, run the bus twice as often and on weekends and until 8PM.
Most 'scooter'ers' are ok...but the other ones think that they are 'Gods on wheels'. The road is for licensed vehicles and the Zebra Crossing rule is: "Look right, look left, look right again then if clear, cross". ..this is The NZ Road Code ...not some made up 'scooter hype' .. 3 times I have had 'Kamikazi' scooter fools, near cause me an accident, I have stopped them they have had foul mouths of rudeness spat at me....Blenheim police just don't want to know about scooter idiots .."just watch out for them" is their answer. ALL scooters should have Registration Plates for the public to report them to the police and notices issued,...cars don't drive along footpaths, scooters should stay on footpaths and not be able to travel along roads.
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