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Original poster

Mandatory license and insurance for mobility scooters

192 replies

Auburngal · 30/06/2024 07:40

The thread of elderly people and driving has spurred this thread.

Mobility scooters have provided freedom for those who can’t walk far.

But I think based on my experiences of seeing mobility scooter users in my work, other shops and where I live, there should be a license and insurance.

I believe many didn’t drive a car prior so I have no concept of control and speed. Either their disability/health conditions or with women, their late husband did the driving and she never drove at all.

Some drive at the max speed in shops - it’s only 4mph is max speed inside and in busy areas. My colleague got run over by a mobility scooter user. She was caught by her work fleece which was fully unzipped as she was crouching to fill a shelf. She was dragged about 5m and shouting by at least 5 people didn’t do anything as the guy was deaf. She had massive bruises on her legs.

A few months ago I was topping up the bananas and a lady crashed into the back of my legs. No apologies.

About 7 years ago a man on his mobility scooter missed the corner and collided into the end of the aisle where we had promotional bottles of wine. About 30 bottles were smashed and he carried on.

There is an issue with many mobility scooters users oblivious to their actions and attitude problems.

I believe that sanctions of dangerous use of mobility scooters should be the same as using a car. Mobility scooters are not classed as vehicles in law.

There have been people who have died after being hit by mobility scooters like here www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-65383596.amp

OP posts:
Thread gallery
10
araiwa · 30/06/2024 07:58

It's certainly what keeps me awake at night

DustyLee123 · 30/06/2024 07:58

20 years ago I know a woman who ended up in hospital after being crashed into by one of these, she got no compensation. So not a new thing, and YANBU

Autumn1990 · 30/06/2024 07:59

Usually they are covered on their house insurance

mitogoshi · 30/06/2024 08:03

If they are obtained through motorbility they are insured.

I personally think that only the low powered ones and cap at 3mph should be available without an assessment and yes compulsory insurance for anything more powerful

Hateam · 30/06/2024 08:05

What about 14 year old who needs an electic wheelchair?

Or electric bikes?

AnnaMagnani · 30/06/2024 08:06

As a doctor I have seen several patients who on being told they weren't fit to drive have promptly gone and bought a mobility scooter.

They weren't fit to drive a scooter either but those are completely unregulated.

MoggyP · 30/06/2024 08:07

As long as all wheeled vehicles on pavements carry insurance, I’d be fine with it. And yes, that would include DC on scooters, as they go just as fast and far more erratically

In terms of consideration for others, I think we have a far greater issue with cyclists on pavements - that’s a downright breach but rarely enforced. If the authorities can’t cope with policing that, I doubt very much there would be any enforcement of other issues

haveatye · 30/06/2024 08:08

This is a bit like licence and insurance for cyclists - using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Imagine if your mobility had just dropped low enough that you needed a scooter, you'd be a bit depressed and probably have financial challenges too - then you'd need to fork out for lessons and insurance to be able to regain a bit of mobility?

You could have training delivered as standard when you get one or something, and a sanction for deliberately being reckless with one (I'm pretty sure that's already on the law books)

But you don't want people being unable to go out because they can't afford licence and insurance.

haveatye · 30/06/2024 08:09

MoggyP · 30/06/2024 08:07

As long as all wheeled vehicles on pavements carry insurance, I’d be fine with it. And yes, that would include DC on scooters, as they go just as fast and far more erratically

In terms of consideration for others, I think we have a far greater issue with cyclists on pavements - that’s a downright breach but rarely enforced. If the authorities can’t cope with policing that, I doubt very much there would be any enforcement of other issues

That didn't take long, did it?

Icedlatteplease · 30/06/2024 08:11

You can get mobility scooter insurance.

You can be sued if you are be proved negligent

Hateam · 30/06/2024 08:11

I think that as a society we sometimes need to accept and live with a certain level of risk before imposing restrictions on vulnerable people.

I 'll need some reliable statistics on how many serious injuries are being caused.each year.

Ifailed · 30/06/2024 08:15

A class 3 mobility has a top speed of 8 miles an hour and weighs between 60 - 100 kg. A typical bike weighs 10 kg.

I know which one I'd prefer to be hit by.

TroysMammy · 30/06/2024 08:17

There are different types of mobility scooters, small ones with a basket on the front which imo look flimsy and ones that look like mopeds and quad bikes. I've been rammed from behind by the flimsy type and it flipping hurt. I imagine the larger ones could do some serious damage.

Hateam · 30/06/2024 08:19

Ifailed · 30/06/2024 08:15

A class 3 mobility has a top speed of 8 miles an hour and weighs between 60 - 100 kg. A typical bike weighs 10 kg.

I know which one I'd prefer to be hit by.

P=mv

Cityandmakeup · 30/06/2024 08:19

Yes to insurance. Been bumped many times and seen people bumped out of the way and the person just goes on their merry way like they have the right to do so

Cityandmakeup · 30/06/2024 08:20

Hateam · 30/06/2024 08:05

What about 14 year old who needs an electic wheelchair?

Or electric bikes?

Edited

They should also have accountability?

Hateam · 30/06/2024 08:21

Cityandmakeup · 30/06/2024 08:20

They should also have accountability?

Show quote history

They currently do.
The question is should they have licenses and insurance.

Adviceneeeeded · 30/06/2024 08:21

There's a lady who uses it on the road around here. She holds the traffic up in an awful way. She drives in the centre of the lane too. It's a very serious accident waiting to happen

NeverDropYourMooncup · 30/06/2024 08:23

TroysMammy · 30/06/2024 08:17

There are different types of mobility scooters, small ones with a basket on the front which imo look flimsy and ones that look like mopeds and quad bikes. I've been rammed from behind by the flimsy type and it flipping hurt. I imagine the larger ones could do some serious damage.

That's why the larger ones require a driving licence and insurance to use (on the road, not the pavement, too) and the smaller, slower ones don't.

OhmygodDont · 30/06/2024 08:27

They do seem to be used by a few who decide they are the lorry’s of the paths beep beep and your expected to jump out the way as they are not stopping or slowing.

a quick google and a dm article..

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13147529/amp/Mobility-scooters-involved-crashes-day-100-seriously-hurt-nine-killed-year-shocking-data-reveals.html

Chersfrozenface · 30/06/2024 08:28

They can be s menace. I too have mobility problems and walk with a stick. I can't just skip out of the way of a 32 inch wide mobility scooter coming at me at speed on a pavement already cluttered with signs, bus shelters, trees, cars parked with wheels on it

So far I've been lucky and had time and space to hobble out of the way. So far...

LauraNorda · 30/06/2024 08:28

This reply has been deleted

We decided to take this down as it is not in the spirit of the site.

LakeTiticaca · 30/06/2024 08:43

Some of these mobility scooters are huge nowadays and to be frank many are a fucking nuisance. They are too fast and manynofnthe owners take no care where they are going and couldn't give a monkeys about anyone else. The same with electric bikes and electric scooters, people have been seriously injured and even killed
As for the "14 year old in the electric wheelchair" is there any reason why he/she shouldn't respect the rights of others to be barged into and injured?

Octavia64 · 30/06/2024 08:44

I don't have a mobility scooter but I do have an electric wheelchair.

In shops I'm constantly saying on repeat

"Hi there, excuse me, wheelchair coming through, watch out please,"

People are often in a world of their own and I have to stop and literally shout very loudly at them to get them to move and let me through.

Wordsmithery · 30/06/2024 08:45

haveatye · 30/06/2024 08:08

This is a bit like licence and insurance for cyclists - using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Imagine if your mobility had just dropped low enough that you needed a scooter, you'd be a bit depressed and probably have financial challenges too - then you'd need to fork out for lessons and insurance to be able to regain a bit of mobility?

You could have training delivered as standard when you get one or something, and a sanction for deliberately being reckless with one (I'm pretty sure that's already on the law books)

But you don't want people being unable to go out because they can't afford licence and insurance.

I don't agree. I'd say insurance is essential - imagine you were hospitalised and lost your income after being knocked down. And maybe the insurance could be reduced if you've done some basic training. But a licence feels like overkill, yes. We should avoid placing unnecessary barriers to mobility but equally we have to make sure people are safe.