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Original poster

To think that mobility scooters are bloody dangerous and there should be more regulation of their use?

786 replies

JellyDiamond · 22/09/2014 12:14

I've just nearly run over a man on a disability scooter. I was driving along at 30mph, when he pulled off the kerb right in front of me. He didn't look anyway but when he realised I was coming towards him he didn't seem to know how to stop it and carried on. Had I been going any faster I would have hit him, had another car been behind me they'd have crashed into me...

I appreciate elderly and disabled people need to get about, but many of them don't seem to know how to use these scooters. There's an old chap near me who uses and one and drives along in the middle of the road, holding up traffic and refusing to pull over to let anyone pass. I've nearly been run over myself by them on pavements, in shops, in supermarkets and I've heard of people who have actually been bit and injured by them.

Surely there should be some kind of course and test for users before allowing them lose on the public? Maybe even an assessment to see who actually needs them rather than just giving them out willy billy to any OAP over the age of 70 wants one?

OP posts:
HappyScotProudBrit · 22/09/2014 21:22

"Aren't you late for work, Sybil? I hope it's not a "caring" job, as you seem remarkably ill-qualified for that."

when logical argument gets too tricky .... resort to personal insults.

how mature

mumukahoney · 22/09/2014 21:23

Just be grateful you don't have to use one OP. I have a condition that means walking is sometimes very difficult and my scooter means I am able to get out when I would otherwise be confined to the house.
I already feel self conscious about using it as a 32 year old without thinking people are thinking I shouldn't even be on the pavement.

PumpkinBones · 22/09/2014 21:24

If you follow the argument to a logical conclusion, cars are dangerous and should be banned.
Yes, you take a test, have insurance etc but none if that stops hundred of accidents happening every day, and people driving like twats.

mumukahoney · 22/09/2014 21:25

I've seen them being driving in the middle of the road at rush hour. Should they pay road tax?? Users should pass a competence test before being allowed on one.

8mph scooters are allowed in the road and yes my understanding is they register with the DVLA.

Lifesalemon · 22/09/2014 21:26

I've had my foot ran over by an electric wheelchair and it hurt, it only went at walking pace but it weighed a ton. It was my daughters wheelchair and we have had to unfortunately stop her from using it as she was a potential danger to herself and others. No amount of lessons would have changed that. She now unfortunately has to rely on carers being available to get her to where she wants to go. It was a decision that had to be made to keep her and others safe. Does that make me disablist?
There are some people who think that having a disability gives them the right to do as they please and sod everybody else and if anybody dares to disagree with what they are doing they accuse them of being disablist. It's a load of crap. Someone with disabilities should be treated as an equal not as a superior.

LadySybilLikesCake · 22/09/2014 21:27

Don't people have to have adequate eye sight and be medically fit to drive a car?? It's not really a like for like, if it were, then mobility scooter drivers should also have adequate eye sight and be medically fit enough to drive Wink

HappyScotProudBrit · 22/09/2014 21:32

Does that make me disablist?

No Lifeslaemon, it makes you a realist and shows you care for others as well as your daughter.

There are some people who think that having a disability gives them the right to do as they please and sod everybody else and if anybody dares to disagree with what they are doing they accuse them of being disablist.

I hear you.

It's a load of crap. Someone with disabilities should be treated as an equal not as a superior.

hear hear !

ChildrenOfTheDamned · 22/09/2014 21:33

But you're not imprisoned indoors are you. There is still the option of a wheelchair, manual or electric.

mumukahoney · 22/09/2014 21:34

It's a load of crap. Someone with disabilities should be treated as an equal not as a superior.

Yes, yes those damn people with disabilities using their condition as an ego trip [hmmm]

mumukahoney · 22/09/2014 21:35

Meant Hmm

ChildrenOfTheDamned · 22/09/2014 21:35

Sorry that was to Garlic.

TheCraicDealer · 22/09/2014 21:35

We've already established that training, regulation and testing will not mean there are zero accidents; clearly that's not what's happened with motor vehicles. You can't account for the human factor and accidents will always happen. However, these things would reduce the amount of collisions, increase user awareness and potentially users' confidence in their abilities, which will keep them happy and active in their scooters for longer.

I don't recall reading anyone say that these should be banned altogether or just from the pavement, or even that the testing (if mooted) should be in any way onerous. It's not disablist to say that we should all be considerate of each other. If you're not safe driving anything on wheels, even bloody wheelies, then you should reconsider your chosen mode of transport.

MyFairyKing · 22/09/2014 21:39

I will agree that people on mobility scooters should be regulated when children who use scooters and bikes (on pavements) are also regulated - through their parents, of course.

mumukahoney · 22/09/2014 21:39

childrenofthedamed

I'm not sure if this was to me or not. But I can't use a manual chair as my condition affects all of my body so my arms have issues too.
I don't qualify for a manual chair from my local authority as wheel chair services only supply to people who use wheelchairs indoors 100% of the time.
My option is a scooter and it's taken me a long time to accept I sometimes need one but it does mean I can have some kind of life, even when my condition thinks otherwise.
As I said earlier just be grateful these are not even things you have to consider.
And for what it's worth I have a driving license and drive my scooter with care.

PiperIsOrange · 22/09/2014 21:41

I wouldn't go skiing down the alps without having an instructor to teach me how to skii. I wouldn't climb Mount Everest without out someone experienced and there is no way I would take a boat out to sea with out a lot of tuition.

I don't know why people who used scooter wouldn't want some training.

Garlic if a child bumping into can cause so much damage, then a fall off a scooter will be a lot worse.

If not training for the sake do other path users, then surely for yourself to make sure you are safe as possible.

HappyScotProudBrit · 22/09/2014 21:41

has anyone put up a logical argument against basic training and regulation of mobility scooters? Forgive me if it's been said and I missed it. I see plenty of posts stating why reulations/training/testing would be good ideas, why they are needed, why it would be fair. Why are people against basic standards of safety for any vehicle or any driver?

mumukahoney · 22/09/2014 21:44

No, they should be banned from the pavement!

Of course I am not arguing against safety training but people on this thread HAVE said that scooters should be banned from the pavements.

mumukahoney · 22/09/2014 21:47

I wouldn't go skiing down the alps without having an instructor to teach me how to skii. I wouldn't climb Mount Everest without out someone experienced and there is no way I would take a boat out to sea with out a lot of tuition.

Having a mobility scooter is not comparable to these things. How many people who ride bikes have taken proper training? Apart from cycling proficiency age 8!

ChildrenOfTheDamned · 22/09/2014 21:48

No mumukahoney it was to Garlic. I'm sorry you can't use a manual chair. And you're right I have no personal experience of this so I'm coming at it from a completely uneducated viewpoint. I really don't have a problem with mobility scooters I think they're wonderful inventions that can make people's lives that bit easier. I just think there should be some training and regulations put in place so that people who can't operate them properly, or who drive them unsafely can be stopped from using them.

mumukahoney · 22/09/2014 21:51

Children No worries Smile

I don't disagree about making sure people are safe but I'm not sure there is a need for a license or test anymore than there is for people riding a bike.

HappyScotProudBrit · 22/09/2014 21:55

Of course I am not arguing against safety training but people on this thread HAVE said that scooters should be banned from the pavements.

I don't want them banned from pavements. But I do want mobility scooter speeds on pavements far more rigorously enforced than they are now - pavements are for walking speeds, not for 6-8 mph. I have lost count of the amount of mobility scooters I have seen driving irresponsibly fast on pavements in town centres, speeds I can't even run flat out at for short distances. I have no issue with using speed cameras on pavements to fine mobility scooter speeders. And responsible mobility scooter drivers shouldn't have issues with that either. I have never had a speeding fine in my car, despite clocking up many many miles on the road, because I stick within the speed limits. I also want to know that every mobility scooter driver has enough vision to safely drive a mobility scooter. On the road or on the pavement.

BigHairyLeggedSpider · 22/09/2014 21:59

I work in a sector where many tenants use mobility scooters. We have had a number of incidents where people have had accidents on them causing damage to people or property, particularly when they get a new one. We recommend that they take it slowly and take out personal accident insurance! Grin

HappyScotProudBrit · 22/09/2014 21:59

Having a mobility scooter is not comparable to these things. How many people who ride bikes have taken proper training? Apart from cycling proficiency age 8!

how many bikes do you see doing speeds of 6-8mph in town centre pavements? I don't see any bikes in my town centre as it is a pedestrian only area. I do however often see mobility scooters racing through the town centre at break neck speeds that are nowhere near walking speed. How many bikes do you see racing through Boots the chemist and having 7 or 8 shoppers have to jump aside to avoid being run over by them? I saw this just a fortnight ago with a mobility scooter.

roneik · 22/09/2014 21:59

I am seventy and I believe as soon as we are a bit wobbly we should get a complimentary ticket to Logans run

For goodness sakes whats the odd crushed foot if peoples only way of getting about is a scooter , let em be

There are more loonies driving cars than geriatrics on scooters, so I say chill out we all gets to be old and the big sleep
Peace to all geriatrics and scooter bunnies
Apologies to anyone disabled

mumukahoney · 22/09/2014 22:00

happy
A speed limit already exists scooters are only allowed to do 4mph on the pavement max. The 8mph should only be used on roads.
As with anything there are people who will follow the rules and those they won't. And if people are breaking the law then of course that should be enforced.
But I will go back to my cyclist analogy - there is no enforcement for sight or competency for them? Surely if some test is created it should apply to anything that isn't our two feet?