East Midlands mobility scooter users face highest road risk in Britain

Mobility scooter users in the East Midlands face the highest risk of road casualties anywhere in Britain, according to new analysis of Department for Transport data.

The latest figures, released by insurance intermediary Surewise as part of its Safer Mobility campaign, show the region has the highest rate of mobility scooter casualties relative to its population, highlighting a disproportionate risk for users compared to elsewhere in the UK.

From 2015 to 2024 there were 422 road casualties involving mobility scooter users in the East Midlands, putting the annual rate at 0.88 casualties per 100k population. The region saw the highest number of fatalities in Britain during the period, with 20 people killed in road incidents involving mobility scooters.

Campaigners say the findings point to a growing but often overlooked road safety issue, as more people rely on mobility scooters for independence while navigating roads designed for faster-moving traffic.

Nationally, casualties involving mobility scooters reached 335 in 2024 alone, with 12 people killed and 323 injured.

In the East Midlands, a combination of factors may be contributing to the heightened risk, including an ageing population, increased scooter use and road environments that can force users to share space with cars and larger vehicles.

Richard Hannan, director at Surewise, said: “Mobility scooters are a lifeline for many people, but they are increasingly being used in environments that aren’t designed with them in mind.

“Even incidents recorded as ‘slight’ by the police can result in people avoiding journeys, limiting their movements, or becoming housebound through loss of confidence.

“In regions like the East Midlands, where we’re seeing the highest risk levels, it’s vital that both drivers and policymakers recognise the dangers and take steps to improve safety.

“These figures should be a wake-up call that mobility scooter users are being overlooked in road safety policy, street design and public awareness.”

Mobility scooters typically travel at speeds of around 4–8mph, meaning users are particularly vulnerable when sharing roads with vehicles travelling significantly faster.

Surewise is calling for mobility scooter users to be explicitly included in the Hierarchy of Road Users within the Highway Code, alongside pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road user groups, to strengthen their recognition and protection on the road.

The government is currently consulting on the law governing powered mobility devices, with mobility scooter users, their families and carers encouraged to take part before the consultation closes on 22 April 2026.

To find out more about the government’s consultation or submit a response, visit the website here.

For more information, please visit: https://www.surewise.com/safer-mobility/

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Editors notes

Surewise is a leading specialist insurance intermediary which offers a variety of insurance products, including mobility scooters, carers and storage insurance to customers across the UK.

Launched in April 2014, Surewise is committed to providing insurance products that allow people to live life confidently. Collectively, its directors have more than 40 years’ experience in the UK insurance sector, with vital insights on how to deliver excellent customer service.

Based in Hadleigh in Essex, its growing team is united by a passion to build trust, care and fairness within the insurance sector.

As of 2026, Surewise has more than 14,300 reviews on Trustpilot, with an overall 'Excellent' rating of 4.8.