Comment: Restrict able-bodied users from PMA, but don’t make it difficult for those with real needs

PMA REGULATION

There are mainly three types of PMA: manual wheelchairs, motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Among these, mobility scooters are in the spotlight for growing concern about their misuse by able-bodied people, as noted by the Active Mobility Advisory Group in 2023.

New Ministry of Transport rules, effective from 2025, require people who want to use mobility scooters to be certified by doctors to have health or physical conditions that require their use.

Answering parliamentary questions on 10 September 2024, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said the authorities had been working with medical providers, government agencies and welfare groups to streamline the medical certification process for mobility scooter users. The focus is on making the system easier to use for those who really need mobility aids, while preventing unnecessary strain on healthcare facilities.

Safety is also enhanced, with the maximum permitted speed of PMAs reduced from the current 10 km/h to 6 km/h. This figure refers to normal walking speeds and will still allow PMA users to cross roads safely, just as pedestrians do.

The size restrictions for PMAs used on public roads will also be aligned with the existing size limits for PMAs in public transport (70cm wide, 120cm long, 150cm high, weight limit 300kg), with exceptions granted on a case-by-case basis for users with certified medical needs.

ARE WE DOING ENOUGH?

Apart from the new regulations, it is worth considering whether enforcement against those who use PMAs without a legitimate need or reckless users of PMAs should also be stepped up in terms of frequency and visibility. More regular patrols and speed traps could be implemented, especially in PMA high-traffic areas such as neighborhood centers, parks and shopping districts.

Closed-circuit cameras installed in these hotspots can use video analytics to automatically detect and flag violations. Well-publicized enforcement blitzes would send an unequivocal message of deterrence.

Rigorous controls and inspections of upstream imports by retailers (both physical and online) are also key to cracking down on non-compliant supply, backed by tougher penalties such as revoking the license to sell mobility scooters to people without disabilities. Tracking devices and systems that allow for remote monitoring and mandatory speed limiters could greatly facilitate enforcement. Such trackers could be installed during the initial registration process of PMAs with the Land Transport Authority.

Public education is also essential. Many users may not know that their use of PMA is inappropriate or puts others at risk. Food delivery companies, for example, must proactively direct able-bodied carriers to make food deliveries on bicycles.