Driving near people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters: what drivers need to know
How to see, yield to and give room to people using wheelchairs and scooters
More people use mobility devices than many drivers realize. About 12.2% of U.S. adults, roughly 1 in 8, have a mobility disability [7]. A 2014 Census survey counted about 5.5 million adults who used a wheelchair and 18.4 million who used a cane, crutches or a walker. Among adults 65 and older, 6.1% used a wheelchair [8].
Their risk on the road is real but easy to overlook. Researchers Kraemer and Benton studied crashes from 2006 to 2012 and estimated that about 528 people using wheelchairs were killed as pedestrians [1].
- Their death rate was 2.07 per 100,000 person years, 36% higher than the general population’s [1].
- Men using wheelchairs faced more than five times the risk of women [1].
- About 67.1% of those killed used power wheelchairs [1].
Part of the reason this risk gets overlooked is the way crashes are counted. The national crash database recorded wheelchair use in only 185 cases, far fewer than the estimated 528 deaths. Most of the victims were in the database but weren’t coded as wheelchair users [1]. Today, NHTSA’s yearly pedestrian count leaves out people in wheelchairs and mobility scooters. It counts them separately, as users of “personal conveyances.” In 2024, it recorded 123 deaths of people on a mobility aid device [9].
A review of 62 studies came to a similar conclusion. People with disabilities consistently faced higher risks of pedestrian crashes, injuries and deaths [10].
Is a person in a wheelchair a pedestrian?
In most cases, yes, though the wording varies by state.
- New York defines a pedestrian as “any person afoot or in a wheelchair” [5].
- California counts a person using a self propelled wheelchair or a motorized tricycle or quadricycle as a pedestrian, when a disability keeps them from getting around on foot [6].
- The current federal manual for traffic signs and signals defines a pedestrian to include a person in a wheelchair [11].
That matters for drivers. When a person using a wheelchair or mobility scooter is in a crosswalk, marked or unmarked, they have the same right of way as anyone walking. California, for example, requires drivers, including those turning on a green light, to yield to pedestrians lawfully in a crosswalk or intersection [12].
Florida goes further. Drivers must stop completely before reaching the intersection when a person with a mobility impairment is crossing. That covers people using a wheelchair, walker, crutch, cane or service animal [13]. Injuring that person can add up to $250 to the fine [14]. Florida also lets a person in a motorized wheelchair briefly use the road when there’s no other way to get where they’re going [13].
Why drivers miss them
Most drivers aren’t careless around people in wheelchairs. They simply don’t see them in time. Several things work against them.
Comparison compiled by Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
| Reason | What it means for drivers |
|---|---|
| Lower eye height | Seated eye height averages about 48 to 49 inches, compared with about 62 inches for a bike rider [2]. A person in a wheelchair can disappear behind a parked car or below a tall hood. |
| Tall vehicle fronts | Compared with low, sloped fronts, tall and blunt vehicle fronts were linked to 43.6% higher pedestrian death risk [3]. |
| Blind zones on left turns | Vehicles with a large blind zone on the driver’s side had 75.3% higher odds of a left turn crash with a pedestrian [4]. |
| Shrinking forward view | In popular SUV models, the driver’s view of the area within about 33 feet of the front fell by as much as 58% from 1997 to 2023 [15]. |
| Darkness | 47.6% of the wheelchair user deaths studied happened in the dark, and another 4.8% at dusk or dawn [1]. |
| Speed | On trails, power wheelchairs averaged about 8 feet per second, faster than many people walk [2]. A person can reach the curb sooner than you expect. |
Police listed “not visible” as a factor in 15.4% of the crashes in the national study [1]. In 76.4%, the driver didn’t brake or steer at all [1]. Those numbers point to drivers who weren’t looking low enough or long enough.
Where these crashes happen
The national study gives a clear picture of the danger zones [1]:
- Intersections. About 47.6% of deaths happened at intersections. Of those, 38.7% were at places with no traffic signal, stop sign or other control. In 47.5% of the intersection crashes, the person was in a crosswalk.
- Places with no crosswalk. In 18.3% of intersection crashes, there was no crosswalk to use. The same was true in 22.7% of crashes away from intersections.
- Busy roads. About 66.9% of deaths happened on arterial roads. Urban areas accounted for 86.9%.
- Failure to yield. Police noted that the driver failed to yield in 21.4% of crashes.
- Hit and run. In 16.3% of crashes, the driver left the scene.
Missing or blocked sidewalks push people into these situations. In a study of 401 local governments, only 13% had an ADA transition plan available, the plan cities use to fix sidewalks and curb ramps. Where barriers were reported, an average of 65% of curb ramps were not accessible [16]. When a ramp is missing or blocked, a person in a wheelchair may have no choice but to travel in the street.
Crossing time, signals and turns
Traffic signals are timed around an assumed walking speed. The 2009 edition of the MUTCD uses 3.5 feet per second to set pedestrian clearance time. Where people who walk more slowly or use wheelchairs routinely use the crosswalk, it says a slower speed “should be considered.” The WALK signal should usually last at least 7 seconds [17].
Some people using wheelchairs cross quickly. Others are slowed by steep curb ramps, rough pavement, a tired arm or a heavy chair. Either way, the safe rule for drivers is the same.
- Wait for the person to finish crossing. Your green light doesn’t end their right to complete the crossing. California’s driver handbook notes that seniors and people with disabilities may need extra time [18].
- Look low and wide before turning. Check the crosswalk you’re turning into from curb to curb. Look again just before you go. Left turns deserve extra care because of the blind zone on the driver’s side [4].
- Stop well back of the crosswalk. This gives the person room and lets other drivers see them. Don’t go around a car that has stopped at a crosswalk, since it may be stopped for someone you can’t see [19].
- Don’t block the crosswalk or the curb ramp while you wait at a light. A person in a wheelchair can’t step around your bumper.
Accessible pedestrian signals, the ones that beep, speak or vibrate, are a sign that people with vision disabilities may use the crossing [17]. Treat them as a cue to slow down and look.
At night
Nearly half of the wheelchair user deaths in the national study happened in the dark [1]. A seated person in dark clothing is very hard to pick out in headlights.
A Canadian study tested common ways to make wheelchair users more visible at night. An LED light system worked best, followed by a reflective vest. An orange flag or dark clothing didn’t give drivers enough stopping distance at about 20 mph [20].
For drivers, the lesson is simple. Slow down on streets with sidewalks, transit stops and crosswalks after dark. Use your high beams on unlit roads when no one is coming.
People with white canes and guide dogs
Some people with mobility devices also have vision loss. Many people with vision loss travel alone using a white cane or a guide dog. State laws give them strong protection.
- In California, people using a white cane or guide dog have the right of way. A driver who fails to yield commits a misdemeanor, with up to 6 months in jail and/or a fine of $500 to $1,000 [21].
- Virginia requires drivers to come to a full stop for a blind pedestrian with a guide dog or a white or metallic cane [22].
- Texas requires a full stop for a person with a white cane or assistance animal when that’s the only way to avoid danger [23].
California’s driver handbook adds practical advice. Don’t honk at a blind pedestrian. Don’t stop in the middle of a crosswalk. If the person pulls in their cane and steps back from the curb, it usually means you may go [18].
When someone has to use the street
You will sometimes see a person in a power wheelchair or mobility scooter rolling along the edge of the road. It’s tempting to think they shouldn’t be there. Usually they have no better choice. The sidewalk may end, a curb ramp may be missing or a parked car may block the only way through [16]. Florida’s law recognizes this by letting a person in a motorized wheelchair briefly use the road when no other route exists [13].
Treat that person the way you’d treat anyone walking on the shoulder, with even more room.
- Slow down as soon as you see them. A power wheelchair can roll faster than a person walks. It can’t hop up a curb to get out of your way [2].
- Move fully into the other lane to pass when it’s clear. If a car is coming, slow down and wait behind.
- Don’t honk. A sudden horn can startle someone whose control depends on a joystick or a hand rim.
- At night, look for small lights, reflectors or a flag, but don’t count on them. A Canadian study found an orange flag alone didn’t give drivers enough stopping distance [20].
In parking lots and driveways
Parking lots are another place where seated people are easy to miss. A person may roll out from between parked vans, or a side ramp may fold down from a van right next to your car.
The striped access aisle next to an accessible space exists for exactly that reason. Federal design standards require these aisles to be at least 60 inches wide. Van spaces need either a wide space or a 96 inch aisle [24]. Never park in the stripes, even for a minute. Back out slowly, check your camera and mirrors and look low before you move. If someone is lowering a ramp or transferring into a car, wait until they’re clear.
A driver's checklist
For more on keeping ramps and sidewalks clear, see our guide to parking that blocks curb ramps, crosswalks and sidewalks.
Frequently asked questions
Is a person in a wheelchair considered a pedestrian?
In most states, yes. New York’s law says so directly, and California includes people using wheelchairs and certain motorized mobility devices [5, 6]. The federal traffic control manual also includes wheelchairs in its definition [11].
Can mobility scooters and power wheelchairs use the road?
It depends on the state. California treats disability scooters as pedestrians [6]. Florida lets a person in a motorized wheelchair briefly use the road when there’s no other route [13]. When you see someone in the street, assume they had no better option and give them room.
My light turned green, but someone in a wheelchair is still crossing. What do I do?
Wait until they’re completely out of your path. Drivers must yield to people lawfully in a crosswalk, even when the driver has a green light [12].
The bottom line
Recommendation from Safety Behind the Wheel Foundation
People who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters are pedestrians in most states, with the same right to cross safely. They’re also more likely to be killed, often by drivers who never saw them. A lower eye height, tall vehicle fronts, darkness and missing curb ramps all add to the danger.
Drivers can close most of that gap with a few habits. Look low and wide before turning, and wait until every crossing is finished. Keep ramps and crosswalks clear. Give a full lane of room when someone has to use the street.
Related articles
- Pedestrian safety for drivers: how to spot, yield to and protect walkers
- Wheelchair and scooter lights and reflectors: be seen without getting in your own way
- Countdown and accessible pedestrian signals: how crossing time is shared with everyone
- Driving with a disability: adapted vehicles, hand controls and next steps
- Older driver safety: how to keep driving safely and confidently
Sources and further reading
- 1Kraemer JD, Benton CS. “Disparities in road crash mortality among pedestrians using wheelchairs in the USA: results of a capture-recapture analysis.” BMJ Open 5(11):e008396, November 20, 2015. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2015-008396
- 2Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). “Characteristics of Emerging Road and Trail Users and Their Safety” (FHWA-HRT-04-103). October 2004. fhwa.dot.gov/…/06.cfm
- 3Hu W, Monfort SS, Cicchino JB. Study of vehicle front end design and pedestrian fatality risk. Journal of Safety Research 90:115-127, 2024. doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2024.06.007
- 4Hu W, Cicchino JB. Study of driver blind zones and pedestrian crashes. Journal of Safety Research 97:801-810, May 30, 2026. doi.org/10.1016/j.jsr.2026.05.006
- 5New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Section 130: Pedestrian. nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/VAT/130
- 6California Vehicle Code Section 467: Pedestrian (current as of January 1, 2026). codes.findlaw.com/…/veh-sect-467
- 7Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Disability Impacts All of Us Infographic.” Updated May 5, 2026. cdc.gov/…/disability-impacts-all-of-u…
- 8Taylor DM. “Americans with Disabilities: 2014” (P70-152). U.S. Census Bureau, November 2018. census.gov/…/p70-152.pdf
- 9National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Pedestrians: 2024 Data” (DOT HS 813 818). June 2026. crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/…/813818
- 10Schwartz N, et al. “Disability and pedestrian road traffic injury: A scoping review.” Health and Place 77:102896, 2022. doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102896
- 11National Committee on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (NCUTCD). Proposal 25B-PED-01, quoting the MUTCD 11th Edition definition of pedestrian. 2025. ncutcd.org/…/25B-PED-01-DefinitionPedest…
- 12California Vehicle Code Sections 21451 (green signal) and 21950 (right of way at crosswalks). codes.findlaw.com/…/veh-sect-21451
- 13Florida Statutes Section 316.1303 (2025): Traffic regulations to assist mobility impaired persons. flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0316.1303
- 14Florida Statutes Section 318.18 (2025): Amount of penalties. flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2025/0318.18
- 15Epstein AK, et al. “Longitudinal Analysis of Forward Blind Zone Changes in Popular Vehicle Models (1997-2023).” SAE International Journal of Transportation Safety, 2025. Abstract. consensus.app/…/29f4df27ddba5bde81f7bd67d37…
- 16Eisenberg Y, et al. “Are communities in the United States planning for pedestrians with disabilities?” Cities, 2020. Abstract. consensus.app/…/f5929b8e6598546aae0f4f49bc7…
- 17Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, 2009 Edition with Revisions 1 and 2, Chapter 4E: Pedestrian Control Features. mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/…/part4e.htm
- 18California Department of Motor Vehicles. “California Driver’s Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road.” Last modified June 11, 2025. dmv.ca.gov/…/laws-and-rules-of-the-road
- 19National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). “Pedestrian Safety.” Accessed October 2026. nhtsa.gov/road-safety/pedestrian-safety
- 20Webber J, et al. “Evaluating common approaches to improve visibility of wheelchair users.” Assistive Technology 33(4):201-205, 2021. doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2019.1608478
- 21California Vehicle Code Section 21963: Blind pedestrian right of way. california.public.law/…/vehicle_code_section_21963
- 22Code of Virginia Section 46.2-933: Drivers to stop for blind pedestrians (2026 compilation). vacode.org/…/46.2-933.html
- 23Texas Transportation Code Chapter 552: Pedestrians, including Section 552.010. tcss.legis.texas.gov/…/TN.552.pdf
- 24U.S. Access Board. “Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards, Chapter 5: Parking Spaces.” Accessed October 2026. access-board.gov/…/chapter-5-parking
This article reflects the safety priorities of accessibility and pedestrian safety education. It covers why people using wheelchairs and mobility scooters face higher risk, why drivers miss them and how to yield and give room. It is general education, not legal advice. Check your state’s rules. Reviewed October 2026.
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