New to the life of power scooters? Here are some pointers in etiquette to help you enjoy your power scooter and make sure that others enjoy and respect your presence as well.

1. Stick to the sidewalk. In most jurisdictions you are considered a pedestrian and should avoid driving on the road.

2. If it is impossible to NOT drive on the road, drive facing traffic and be sure to have reflectors on your power scooter during the day and a headlight on it at night.

3. People often build their own canopies for their power scooters but these can actually be potentially hazardous in that they are often too heavy for the scooter and they create a number of blind spots while you drive. If you have a "made it yourself" canopy, make sure you attach mirrors and check your blind spots when you drive.

4. Cross at crosswalks, not in the middle of the road.

5. Although you are a pedestrian, you could still face motor vehicle charges if you operate your scooter while impaired. Stay sober.

6. Attach a tall flag to your scooter to make sure you are seen from a distance. A bright orange flag is the best.

7. Keep your eyes open up ahead as you drive and move to the right hand side of the sidewalk if you see approach "traffic".

8. Remember that power scooters are very quiet, so if you happen to drive up behind someone who is walking slowly, announce your presence gently rather than simply passing them...you might surprise them!

9. Don't watch a portable television while you drive your scooter.

10. Don't listen to your headphones as you drive unless you are on a closed pedestrian only pathway... and even then, keep your music down: otherwise, you may not hear approaching traffic or someone trying to get your attention.

11. If you do a lot of traveling at night, be sure to use all terrain tires. Knobby tires are very loud.

12. If you have a horn, use it as you approach a hidden turn or a covered driveway. That way, if someone is coming around the turn or backing out of the driveway, they will hear you. Since you travel faster than someone walking, they may not stop in time if your scooter is at full speed.

13. Be mindful of other shoppers if you are driving around the store. Your scooter actually has a better turn radius than those huge shopping carts, so people might have to rely on your great driving skills to avoid a collision.

14. Never tow anything with your scooter.

Driving around in power scooters is a two way street! You need to give respect and expect respect as you operate it. If you don't, you'll just make it harder for other power scooter users to feel safe and free to travel. When you use these 14 rules of etiquette for power scooters, you'll enjoy your trip and other people will happily share the sidewalk.

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