Chaotic Scooter Situation Presents ‘Serious Danger’ To Malta’s Visually-Impaired
Malta’s current chaotic scooter situation is presenting a very real danger to the visually-impaired who use the island’s streets to travel using guide dogs or canes, the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation has warned.
Recognising that the introduction of scooters in Malta is a “positive” as long as it comes along with the appropriate local infrastructure and enforcement, it noted that the current situation meant that scooters were being used in an “inappropriate” manner, putting the visually-impaired at greater risk.
“The dangerous driving and the careless abandonment of scooters cause inaccessibility and represents a serious danger to the visually impaired, who move around on their own with the support of a white cane or a guide dog,” the MGDF said.
In order to mitigate and possibly eliminate this negative effect on the visually-impaired, the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation issued three recommendations:
1. Since scooters are silent, these should make an acoustic signal, such as hooting the horn and also slow down, when approaching a visually-impaired person aided by a white cane or a guide dog;
2. Scooters should not be carelessly abandoned on footpaths and pedestrian areas, so as to block the way, adding to the many other obstacles that unfortunately already exist; and
3. Authorities need to enhance enforcement and see that the use of scooters does not impinge on the safety and independence of visually-impaired persons.
“Unless these points are quickly addressed, the risk is that many visually-impaired will increasingly feel discouraged to go out on their own! Consequently, the precious work performed by the Malta Guide Dogs Foundation so far and which gave such persons a greater degree of independence in their mobility, simply risks going lost.”
Malta’s scooter situation has left many scratching their heads.
Though the use of scooters can help relieve traffic congestion and offer a cleaner alternative for public transport, the island – unlike other countries – has yet to install proper, marked infrastructure, forcing users to both pick up and leave the scooters in designated spots.
What do you make of Malta’s scooter situation?
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