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MP urges change in powered wheelchair law | MP urges change in powered wheelchair law |
(about 3 hours later) | |
The government is being urged to alter the law so that children under 14 can use heavier motorised wheelchairs. | The government is being urged to alter the law so that children under 14 can use heavier motorised wheelchairs. |
Currently any chair weighing more than 150kg is classified as a car. | Currently any chair weighing more than 150kg is classified as a car. |
But Conservative MP Aidan Burley argued that advances in technology mean chairs for the most severely disabled had become heavier, as they contained more devices to enable better mobility. | |
During a Commons debate he called for the limit to rise to 200kg and for the minimum age rule to be removed. | |
His 10-minute rule bill was accepted by MPs without a vote taking place. This means it could go on to further consideration, although its only hope of becoming law is if the government adopts it. | |
Mr Burley, who represents Cannock Chase in Staffordshire, said the 1988 Road Traffic Act, under which the current regulations are set out, was "out of date". | |
He wants the law on "Class 3" wheelchairs, the type used by people with the most severe disabilities and holding the most equipment, to be changed. | |
At the moment it is illegal for people under the age of 14 to use them. | |
Meanwhile any wheelchair weighing more than 150kg is classified as a car and, therefore, only to be driven by people over the age of 17 who hold a driving licence. | |
'Very arbitrary' | 'Very arbitrary' |
Mr Burley told the BBC: "The modern chairs have moved on massively in the past few years. They have more grip, robust tyres and facilities like oxygen chambers and better movement. | |
"As a consequence they've become heavier, pushing many of them above 150kg, and meaning that kids can't use them. | "As a consequence they've become heavier, pushing many of them above 150kg, and meaning that kids can't use them. |
"That's why I want the limit to be raised to 200kg and for the age limit to go on Class 3 wheelchairs." | "That's why I want the limit to be raised to 200kg and for the age limit to go on Class 3 wheelchairs." |
He added: "The age limit is very arbitrary. It's not fair that a 13-and-a-half-year-old with a degenerative disease can't have the level of freedom that the chair would provide. | He added: "The age limit is very arbitrary. It's not fair that a 13-and-a-half-year-old with a degenerative disease can't have the level of freedom that the chair would provide. |
"These are the most disabled children, the ones with great breathing difficulties. A lot of these children are going to die soon and this is about trying to make their last years, or even months, as comfortable as possible." | "These are the most disabled children, the ones with great breathing difficulties. A lot of these children are going to die soon and this is about trying to make their last years, or even months, as comfortable as possible." |
The government recently raised the maximum weight for Class 2 wheelchairs - for those who do not have the most severe disabilities but still need some motorisation of the chair - from 110 kg to 150 kg. | The government recently raised the maximum weight for Class 2 wheelchairs - for those who do not have the most severe disabilities but still need some motorisation of the chair - from 110 kg to 150 kg. |
Ten-minute rule bills do not normally result in a change in government policy, but Mr Burley said he was hopeful of an alteration in the law for Class 3 chairs, as transport minister Norman Baker and Maria Miller, minister for disabled people, had attended the debate. | |
The disabled children's charity Newlife, based in Mr Burley's constituency, is also calling for a change in the law. | |
The MP said: "Some organisations, such as health providers, are using the current law in an attempt to save money by not providing children with the best chairs. | |
"But charities such as Newlife, who want to help and aren't using public money, are being denied the chance to do so. This has to change." | "But charities such as Newlife, who want to help and aren't using public money, are being denied the chance to do so. This has to change." |
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