This past weekend there has been two unfortunate incidents with pedestrians in motorized wheelchairs being struck by vehicles.

December 2, 2006 --- Saturday Evening in Orlando, Florida, a 49 year old man was struck and killed by a vehicle while he was riding along U.S. Highway 441 in a motorized wheelchair. The accident is currently under investigation and no charges have been filed. The driver did not see the wheelchair in the Southbound inside lane in which they were both traveling.

December 3, 2006 --- Sunday afternoon in Englewood, Colorado, a 49 year old woman was struck by a city bus making a left turn. The woman was crossing in the crosswalk at the intersection of South Broadway and Girard. The intersection does not have a left turn arrow, and the light was green for both the bus and pedestrians. Police ticketed the bus driver for not yielding to pedestrians.

“Defensive Driving” rules apply to pedestrians as much as drivers. This is especially true for those in wheelchairs as they are more difficult to see, being that they are closer to the ground. Pedestrians must be careful and look out for vehicles even when they have the right of way.