Q number plates not allowed on the road

A DISABLED man who has to use a road legal mobility scooter is appealing to drivers to stop shouting abuse at him. Peter Green, aged 63, from Horwich, drives a taxed and insured group three disabled scooter. He says he and other drivers of similar vehicles receive constant abuse from motorists who do not realise they are allowed on the road.

Mr Green has even gone to the lengths of getting Q-registered number plates for his scooter — even though he is not required to do so by law—to show drivers he is allowed on the road. His problems culminated after he was yelled at by a bus driver as he drove through Horwich last weekend.

Mr Green pulled away from the Aldi traffic lights on Chorley New Road, where a bus pulled alongside him.  The Bus driver opened up the door and yelled at me to get my scooter off the road.

Mr Green complained to First but was told unless he could provide the company with the registration number of the bus involved, then they could take no further action. A First spokesman said: “Whenever we receive a complaint from a member of the public we try to gather enough information from them to allow us to carry out a thorough investigation.

“This includes contacting the relevant member of staff to put the allegations to them.

“In this instance, the gentleman could not give enough details for us to carry out a full investigation.

“However, we will be looking into this matter and will be instructing all our staff on these routes to show the highest level of courtesy and professionalism at all times when communicating with customers, pedestrians and other motorists.”

Mr Green said the addition of number plates had cut down the amount of abuse he receives.

He said: “My vehicle clearly displays its Q number plates front and back, which shows drivers it is a road vehicle.