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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 25, 2016 10:22 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Michael J. Driscoll |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Reflectors on Self-Propelled Wheelchairs and Electrical Mobility Devices |
| In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation requiring reflectors on self-propelled wheel chairs and electrical mobility devices (EMDs). For those individuals who need a wheelchair or other mobility device to get around, safety can be especially challenging and visibility is the key to safety for these devices whether on a sidewalk, sidewalk area or roadway. According to the Federal Highway Administration’s National Safety Council, the chance of being struck and killed as a wheelchair user after dark increases by 11-fold. My legislation amends Title 75 (Vehicles) to require every self-propelled wheelchair or electrical mobility device to have a red reflector on the front and rear and reflectors on each side when operating on a sidewalk, sidewalk area or highway, between sunset and sunrise. All reflectors are to be visible from at least 500 feet. And finally, my legislation prohibits the sale or re-sale of electric mobility devices without being equipped with at least four reflectors. Two other states, Oregon and Rhode Island, have adopted statutes specifying requirements for lights if a self-propelled wheelchair or EMD is operating at night along a bicycle lane, roadway or path. Rhode Island requires red reflectors on the rear, white reflective material on the wheels, and a white light lamp on the front. Oregon’s statute simply states that a motorized wheelchair must have “proper lighting” similar to requirements for bicyclists. It is important that we promote safety and awareness of mobility devices and their users by requiring reflectors. By adopting this commonsense approach we can significantly increase their visibility and allow them greater protection. I hope you will join me in sponsoring this legislation creating greater safety for those on devices |