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Original poster

A mobility scooter crashed into me

156 replies

Invalidusername88 · 05/10/2023 12:36

Sitting in a cafe nearly finished eating and this mobility scooter tries to get through the gap between my table and the wall. The frame of the scooter hit my table, she carried on going, the table spun round and sandwiched me against the wall, the table digging into my stomach with her still going. I was genuinely worried it wasn't going to stop but eventually it did, a few people including security came running. I was ok apart from a swollen arm and bruises. My memory is a bit blurry now but I think she took out the table and chairs behind me too.

Not sure what I'm looking for here apart from other people's opinions - has anything like this ever happened to you? If this had been a small child they would have been seriously injured. Similarly if I was pregnant this wouldn't have been good. Nothing against mobility scooters previously although a lot more wary now 😂

OP posts:
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7
Pleaseme · 05/10/2023 14:16

Disorganisedmess2023 · 05/10/2023 13:22

Of course it's not! Is a car accident assault?

Show quote history

If you are injured by a car it's often an offence though surely. Careless or inconsiderate driving at the very least?

Mumto1boyo · 05/10/2023 14:16

This reply has been deleted

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RedAndWhiteCarnations · 05/10/2023 14:18

@drspouse i know what you mean about pushchairs but believe it or not, wheelchairs are even worse.

I was talking to the lady who took me to the plane. It was a busy day and she forever shouting ‘Excuse me!!’ To try and move around. The look of incredulity, surprise at seeing us and daring asking them to move - something they would have done wo a second thought if it had been someone standing- was astonishing.

RedAndWhiteCarnations · 05/10/2023 14:19

Seeing the comments on this thread, I hope posters will not need a mobility device any time soon Btw.
Many if you will be in for a massive surprise

ohsuzannah · 05/10/2023 14:23

@TheLongGloriesOfTheWinterMoon
That's really awful. There are some nasty people around. In front of a child too! 😡

SM4713 · 05/10/2023 14:25

RedAndWhiteCarnations · 05/10/2023 14:19

Seeing the comments on this thread, I hope posters will not need a mobility device any time soon Btw.
Many if you will be in for a massive surprise

I would hope if any of us need one in the future, we'd have the common sense you get shown how to use the thing, practice using it, getting between tight spaces etc before being let loose! You don't have an air horn do you? 🤔

LakeTiticaca · 05/10/2023 14:25

MrsMoastyToasty · 05/10/2023 13:03

DH used to work in a supermarket and they had a regular customer who used a mobility scooter and would come into the store at maximum velocity. He and his colleagues were primed to catch her and adjust the speed!

Had one in the supermarket where I worked. An old man. Smelt of booze. We banned him in the end.
These scooters are an absolute f*cking nightmare and they seem to be getting bigger and more powerful. Some are nearly is bis as a small car now!!
Some sort of law needs to be brought in to control them

CoffeeChocolateandBooks · 05/10/2023 14:26

My Dads Dr told him most of the people on mobility scooters shouldn't be on them.
I find people riding them to be completely miserable, rude and selfish.
They ride around our store, a couple of them fly around at a dangerous speed and they always expect to take priority, never so much as a thankyou.

gillywee · 05/10/2023 14:30

Some of the comments here are ridiculous. Such massive sweeping generalisations.

Op, by the sounds of it a table banged into your arm. It was an accident. Let it go, lest you become as bitter as some of the people on this thread.

BlueYonder57 · 05/10/2023 14:34

SisterMichaelsHabit · 05/10/2023 13:32

I think the speed they go up to is too high. My mum used to use the Shopmobility ones and they used to go up to 10mph. No one walks at that speed. I mean they're generally a lot bigger and heavier than a bike. I'm surprised there isn't some legislation. Canal boats in canals can only go at 3mph but mobility scooters can plough through a crowded shopping centre at 10!

That would be a miracle - the best UK ones are speed limited to 8mph and that is only to be used where safe to do so; and many are limited to 4mph. The law says that they should be used at 4mph on pavements and other pesestrian areas https://orangebadge.co.uk/how-fast-do-mobility-scooters-go/#:~:text=Mobility%20scooters%20are%20legally%20restricted,8%20MPH%20on%20the%20roads. Some people may not act responsibly - go figure. Some car drivers aren't responsible either, and they supposedly did pass a test. And childrens electric scooters - often on pavements and other places they shouldn't be, are able to travel at 10mph.

People, whether with disablities or not, can be idiots. So, for example, whilst you are all complaining about the mobility scooter users on the road, I hope that you aren't the drivers who regularly block pavements preventing us from using the pavement - because like it or not, us 8mph scooters on the road are legal, and your car on the pavement isn't legal.

Can’t stand people on mobility scooters, have never met one that had any courtesy or manners. Always think they have the right of way and don’t give a shit who they hurt while they force themselves past
Never? Ever? You need to get out more then.

Just yet another thread demonstrating why people with disabilities are hated. One incident and we are all tarred with the same brush, and it's an excuse for a pile on to show how awful disabled people are.

How Fast Do Mobility Scooters Go?

If you are wondering ‘how fast do mobility scooters go?’ the top speed is 8 MPH. The speed depends on the battery and whether the scooter is used on or off the road. Learn more here.

https://orangebadge.co.uk/how-fast-do-mobility-scooters-go#:~:text=Mobility%20scooters%20are%20legally%20restricted,8%20MPH%20on%20the%20roads.

AngelsWithSilverWings · 05/10/2023 14:38

We have a lot of people where I live who use these. My feeling is that they should have the speed on them restricted to a normal walking pace to prevent accidents. They shouldn't be on pavements going at the speed they do as there's often not enough time to react and jump out of the way.

BlueYonder57 · 05/10/2023 14:42

drspouse · 05/10/2023 13:38

@SisterMichaelsHabit the clue there is "up to". They are variable speed and nobody should be going 10mph unless on a completely clear pavement.

In the UK a mobility scooter goes up to 8mph - but you are quite correct, it is "up to". Pretty much like speed limits might go "up to" 70 but someone is always going 70+ down the motorway and has a really good reason, or 40 in a 30mph zone. Obviously that won't be any of the people on this thread who are all perfect drivers and law-abiding at all times.

MrsRoyCropper · 05/10/2023 14:42

I was hit by a lady driving a mobility scooter as i prepared to enter a busy roundabout recently. I had been checking traffic to my right for a safe time to go, and as I looked ahead to drive I could see her riding toward me without any attempt to slow down or stop. She inevitably slammed into my car, and when I got out to check she was ok, ask her why she didnt see me or stop, and look at damage, but she ignored me and rode off. I still can't quite fathom it, there was no pedestrian crossing, and rather than cross the busy road using the underpass she chose to cut across the roundabout. Without lookout or care for herself and others around her. Utterly dangerous.

IClaudine · 05/10/2023 14:44

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Have you ever considered the common denominater in these encounters is... you? 😒

EvelynKatie · 05/10/2023 14:45

I once saw a woman on a mobility scooter at a checkout go forward and sort of jam the woman's leg infront of her against a trolley. The woman was shouting out in pain so lots of people went rushing over, and the woman in the scooter couldn't seem to reverse at first. Looked painful for the poor woman who ended up jammed!

Balloonhearts · 05/10/2023 14:46

A man in one ran my 3 year old over once in primark. Straight into her at quite a clip, she smacked her head and cut her arm where she tried to save herself. Staff called an ambulance as she was bleeding everywhere and they had to prevent the man just driving off.

He started shouting that she should've moved quicker and he needed to catch his bus. I was trying to hold her still so the first aid lady could put pressure on and stop the bleeding and I just saw red, bellowed at him that she was a toddler and he could've killed her, told him I hoped his bus ran him over and that he was dangerous and ought to be banned.

He then had the nerve to say he had the right to drive it however he saw fit as he couldn't do his shopping otherwise and I should keep my kid out of his way. I got up, threw his shopping across the floor and told him if he opened his mouth again he would be following it.

At this point the police showed up and I believe he got a caution. We left with the ambulance when it arrived but I saw him be arrested and they told me later when they visited that they had cautioned him.

The way some people drive them is appalling and I really think they should be registered like cars and the drivers licenced. There ought to be accountability for their actions.

ActDottie · 05/10/2023 14:55

I remember watching a programme on mobility scooters once a mum whose son had his leg broken by one was campaigning for training for all users. Most people interviewed agreed with her but when then interviewed mobility scooter users they seemed to imply that her son was at fault as he was probably messing around… it was really shocking.

They then took some scooter users to a training centre where they did some training that they insisted they didn’t need and it was shocking!!! And they were so oblivious to the fact they weren’t actually able to do anything the trainer was asking.

IClaudine · 05/10/2023 14:57

I wonder if in addition to poor driving on the part of some mobility scooter users, there is also a lack of attention on the part of pedestrians? Some people just don't see what is in front of them, especially if it is below their eye level. From experience, pushing a wheelchair along a busy street or shop is a nightmare. Some parents also seem to let their kids run amok in public places.

thebutcherswife · 05/10/2023 14:58

The algorithm is strong today

A mobility scooter crashed into me
KaySararSarar · 05/10/2023 14:59

due To my work I have seen countless injuries to staff and also the scooter users themselves due to their inability to navigate them correctly. It’s hardly ever the users fault though, always seems to be an excuse.

IClaudine · 05/10/2023 14:59

I agree training and licensing, would be ideal. Same should apply to cyclists.

Mrsjayy · 05/10/2023 15:02

I'm amazed they allowed somebody in on a scooter it sounds terribly cramped if they got in but crashed their way out ! I don't think I've ever .ran over/!into anybody in mine but there seems to be collisions all over the place.

CrazyHamsterLady · 05/10/2023 15:14

I had that once. I was walking down the high street, completely minding my own business. A mobility scooter ran into me from behind and then, as they scooted off, they turned round and shouted ‘get out of my fucking way, bitch’ 🙄🙄🤬🤬 A very similar thing happened in Asda. Wouldn’t happen in Waitrose I assume, never actually been there 😆 😆

Tryingmybestadhd · 05/10/2023 15:18

Call the police and do a formal complaint , try to find this person and if you have any issues you should sue them for injuring you . Personally I don’t think they should be allowed in places where only pedestrians go as they are a safety hazard . A few years ago a boy where we lived got seriously injured in a similar incident , the stupid woman didn’t even stop to ask if he was ok . As a result the local shopping centre refused entry to any mobility scooters since

Pericombobulations · 05/10/2023 15:19

Another mobility scooter driver here and totally agree that the minute you get in one become invisible to others. And if they stop or walk immediately in front of you, which happens all too regularly, then get upset and blame you if you don't stop of get out of their way. Which can be difficult in something that does turn on the spot.

OP I am sorry for you but they aren't as manoeuvrable as they look and even the best drivers struggle but often they are the difference between going somewhere or staying at home. Which from a lot of the people on this thread seem to prefer that.

I do hope all these haters on here never will use a mobility scooter if they feel so strongly about one and refuse to allow family. Even when it means they cannot leave their homes ever.