DISABLED people are advised to resist the temptation to ram pedestrians, in a new highway code designed for wheelchair and scooter users.

Lynne Jeffries, of York Coalition for Disabled People, today backed the code and said it could even help prevent cases of wheelchair rage.

She said: "I would say it's quite novel, but possibly a good thing because there has been an increase of electric scooters, with people using them both on the pavement and on the roads. I think it would be a good thing for the safety both of the users and pedestrians.

"After all there have been problems with wheelchair rage. Over the years I have seen people make some terrible mistakes with these vehicles. They come out from behind buses or other large vehicles and expect that other road users will just stop for them."

The code, devised by Margaret Godfree, a Leicester woman who has used a scooter for 12 years, has the backing of the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. It gives many practical tips on the safe use of such vehicles on pavements and roads.

About three quarters of a million people in the UK use wheelchairs and thousands of elderly and disabled people drive electric scooters. But reports of pensioners driving their eight-mile-an-hour scooters along motorways and of other dangerous incidents have raised concerns that many people are not in control of their vehicles.

Now the new booklet, called Get Wise, published by the British Healthcare Trades Association, gives valuable safety advice for disabled travellers using all forms of public transport.

The code warns: "Remember pedestrians always have the right of way - do not yield to the temptation to ram them!"

Disabled people who drive scooters do not fit into the traditional Highway Code categories, as their vehicles are not considered to be cars or motorbikes, but they are not legally allowed to use cycle lanes. Drivers of electric scooter must abide by a legal speed limit of 4mph on the pavement and 8mph on a road. Scooter drivers are also warned to reduce their speed when they ride into shops and buildings.

To get hold of a copy of the Get Wise booklet, contact the British Healthcare Trades Association on 01732 458868.

Updated: 10:22 Saturday, February 10, 2001