From San Diego thru Los Angeles, you’ll see them scooting day and night on highways, city streets and sidewalks. Because they’re rented and controlled by computer and smartphone, they’re easily picked up and dropped off virtually everywhere.

If your travels include those areas and elsewhere the growing number of scooters roam, be sure whether driving or walking to be aware of potential dangers. Be extra careful, especially if you have age-related physical limits.

As the travel4seniors.com editor’s photo indicates, scooter riders are subject to the same traffic laws as all other drivers. However, that may not protect you when one suddenly disobeys a red light, crowds you off a sidewalk or collides with you as you try to cross a street.