To think that mobility scooters are bloody dangerous?!

[EmeraldThief]

I don't have a problem with them if they are used responsibly and with consideration for other members of the public, but more often than not they aren't. I've just been bashed in the foot by a hulking great one in Morrisons, why the man driving it felt the need to use one of that size in a supermarket when they provide their own smaller and more suitable for going around shop mobility scooters, I don't know? I couldn't have very easily end up with a broken foot, and I should imagine an elderly person could have been quite badly hurt by it.

Furthermore if he'd actually looked where he was going or said excuse me, before just barging through I'd have moved out of the way.

Why are these things allowed on roads, pavements and in shops without any kind of training or licensing? Half of the people who use them don't seem to know how to control them properly!

[Kasterborous]

It all comes down to who is driving it. When I was eight months pregnant I became within a whisker of being pinned up against a brick wall by one. Instead they ran into the postman stood next to me, then they tried to reverse it but squashed him even more. Luckily he wasn't seriously hurt but it scared me, if it had been me it would have been different especially as I'm quite short it would have been at stomach height.

I think it's a difficult one as they are a god send to the people who need them, but they aren't really safe on the roads or pavements. As they aren't fast enough on the roads and are too fast for pavements. It depends who is driving it.

[EmeraldThief]

God send or not, there needs to be some regulation on their use. Your experience Kaster'is a good example, had you or the postman been injured who would have been liable? They're not even insured ffs!

[Superexcited]

This won't end well. You will get lots of people telling you that mandatory training on mobility scooters will leave people unable to go out and isolated. Some people will tell you that they are not dangerous and only go at walking speed.
I think they can be dangerous if used incorrectly and the some training should be mandatory. The scooter you describe sounds like a road use only one and therefore should not be in the supermarket.

[FunkyZebraHat]

I use a powerchair obviously that's different to a scooter but it's a similar experience. People often don't notice me and walk into me then blame me. The often ignore me when i ask them to move or don't hear me. Not everyone but some.
Plus, if you have your own mobility aid leaving it unattended can cause issues with insurance which is why many of us don't transfer to smaller chairs or scooters in places. To say nothing of the fact that some people can't transfer.
But that said there are many people who aren't hugely safe on them and the speed is an issue - there is a legal limit for on the path (4mph) but it's not enforced and many chairs and scooters can go faster than it. There's also a legal minimum for the road (8mph) but again it's not enforced.

[Innocuoususername]

YANBU. They are a godsend for users, but dangerous in the wrong hands. I was once at an event in a marquee (think lots of people milling around, tables round a dance floor type thing) where a woman lost control of a mobility scooter and ploughed into a large table. Luckily she was ok, but had anybody been sat at the table they could have been seriously injured. There were lots of older people and small children around too.

There is also a man in my area who hurtles down the pavements at double walking speed. IMO the maximum speed of scooters ought to be limited to walking speed, they are after all designed to be used in pedestrian areas.

[JoanHickson]

If your foot was broken then you may require a scooter and learn empathy through the experience.

[EmeraldThief]

What a stupid post Joan

[Bogeyface]

The main issue locally is the ones that go on the road.

They are not taxed or insured, yet they are a bloody menace! There is one chap who seems to think that whether he is on the road or the pavement, he is the priority. He never looks where he is going, never signals, will just pull out in front of a car and then swear at them if they have to screech to a halt, he is a nightmare. There is another one who will just push you out of the way if you are walking, literally! He just keeps going and if you complain he tells you to get out of the fucking way. Proper charmer.

If you buy a road going one then it should come with mandatory training and be taxed and insured. If its a pavement one then again mandatory training and the speed should be limited to 3mph.

[JoanHickson]

Oh I think a good dose of empathy via experience will do you the world of good.

[hazeyjane]

They are a lifeline for many people and most people use them responsibly.

However they can unfortunately sometimes be used by people in a dangerous way.

My ds was knocked down by a gentleman riding one down a pedestrian lane to school, ds is in a sn buggy most of the time, as he struggles with walking, but he was walking alongside me, and the gentleman just knocked him sideways onto the floor.

My poor mil ended up with a broken pelvis and arm, after a man who was knocked over by a lady on a mobility scooter, fell on top of her. It was horrible, she was in hospital for weeks, and struggled with walking afterwards.

[Superexcited]

I don't think the OP having her foot broken by a mobility scooter is going to lead to her having empathy for scooter users.
In any case, not wanting to be injured by a mobility scooter doesn't mean the person lacks empathy.

[EmeraldThief]

Im missing something here Joan. Are you saying that mobility users should be able to do as they like?

[Sallystyle]

Mu relative ended up in hospital for months after being hit by one on the street. Broken leg, dislocated shoulder and other injuries. She had to take months and months off work and the pain was still so bad she ended up taking early retirement.

So yes, they can be bloody dangerous and training should be mandatory yes.

[AnImpalaCalledBABY]

Mobility scooters themselves are not the problem, as ever it is all dependent on the person involved

Of course there are irresponsible twats that use them in the same way there are irresponsible twats who drive cars, ride motorbikes, ride bikes etc

[Marylou2]

Very dangerous indeed.A lady backed hers into DD in a supermarket by reversing suddenly and without looking. She then shouted at DD for being in the way. Horrifying experience as there was little I could say to here as I was terrified of being accused of prejudice against the disabled.We give them a very wide berth now, scooters not the disabled.

[Sallystyle]

If your foot was broken then you may require a scooter and learn empathy through the experience.

Oh I am pretty sure my relative didn't learn empathy by being in hospital for months on end and still not being able to walk without pain.

[TenerifeSea]

To your title, I'd say YABU because the scooters are not a menace but some people driving them are terrifying. That said, I'm far more afraid of wankers in cars than on mobility scooters. (Had a shitty experience today on M25, grrr!)

[EmeraldThief]

Oh yes, the idea that you are the ones in the wrong by being in their "way". Nope, just keep control of your dangerous contraption and make sure you look where your sodding thing!

[JoanHickson]

You would love someone to say that, I am sure, OP. If they don't, you can always misinterpret their words and rock on.

[FinnJuhl]

Yabu. I'd say, more often than not, they are driven responsibly. Or maybe all the scooter users round here are on their best behaviour after one lady on hers broke a four year old's leg last year.

Am sure that once your foot has stopped hurting, you will be able to rationalise the situation more reasonably

[fourchetteoff]

There should be compulsory 'driving lessons' given free by the government at convenient locations.
They should also be limited to 3-4mph (walking speed) if used in urban areas.
I have had a few close shaves with them. I'm deaf so am often surprised by one burning it up behind me.

[Caydee]

As other posters have said, they can be dangerous in the wrong hands, as can items like prams, shopping trolleys, bikes etc. but they are often the only way a disabled or elderly person can actually get out and about - in the past they would have been stuck indoors with no life.

There should be more access to training for them - it's all very well saying people should have training but have you ever seen any advertised, cos I've not. Also, as with cars, insurance for them should be mandatory - it covers any accidents you have with either pedestrians or other vehicles and covers you in case you injure someone, as if they sue, you could be left in a lot of trouble. Insurance is about £50 a year and although accidents will always happen, at least everyone involved will be covered.

[hazeyjane]

Hey?

The woman who was responsible for my mil's injuries shouted abuse at her and the gentleman for not looking where they were going (coming out of a shop). No misinterpretation of her words ('you should look where your fucking going') - as there were several witnesses.

[GuybrushThreepwoodMightyPirate]

Yanbu, they are a godsend and a menace at the same time. I would be glad to see them properly regulated for everyone's safety.

One near me often parks on the pavement outside a house (presumably not their house as it's not always there, seems to be a close friend or family as it is there a few times per week) in a way which means it is impossible to get a pushchair or another mobility scooter past - forcing people into the road to get around it (busy rd, high pavement) Drives me bonkers that someone who uses one is so inconsiderate of others who use them!

[albertcamus]

I'm struggling / hobbling around with a healing triple leg fracture @ the moment. If anyone, on a mobility aid or not, knocked me over I'd sue the arse off them.

I've been through 18 weeks of severe pain & am very wobbly on my feet. I wish all mobility aid users would bear in mind the fear which someone in my situation, or with DC, has when innocently trying to get around.

Unfortunately too many of their users seem to think they own the pavement / path.