PETALING JAYA: Persons with disabilities (PWD) and those with health issues who use Personal Mobility Aids (PMA) are allowed to use pedestrian crossings on public roads, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       However, the Transport Minister cautioned those using these PMA to be careful while ensuring the safety of pedestrians while crossing the road.

       “I believe there is some confusion over the use of PMA by PWD groups. Micromobility vehicles under the PMA classification are generally vehicles that are designed and built for the use of individuals with mobility problems and for the disabled.

       “The use of these PMA on public roads is prohibited, which means, no one is allowed to use it on roads alongside other motor vehicles such as cars, trucks and buses.

       “The use of PMA on roads, including highways, will pose a high risk of road accidents and loss of life or injury. This is also to prevent the PMA from being misused by healthy individuals arbitrarily on the road,” he said in a statement Wednesday (April 27).

       However, Dr Wee explained that the use of these PMA was not prohibited on surfaces other than roads because this was outside the scope of the Road Transport Act 1987.

       Usage of PMA in shopping mall areas, pavements and in parks are subject to the relevant authorities or park and shopping mall owners, Dr Wee added.

       He said the ministry had sought input from the Welfare Department, PWD groups and OKU Sentral on April 23, 2021, on the restrictions of using microbility vehicles.

       On Tuesday (April 26), Dr Wee announced that mopeds, electric scooters, skateboards and motorised wheelchairs are among micromobility vehicles that were banned from public roads effective immediately.

       This was to avoid a "dangerous mix of micromobility vehicles and other vehicles on the roads" while ensuring safety for road users.