General Chat

Just searching for mobility scooters when I came across this BBC report...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8436558.stm

Basically, there is feeling that due to the number of accidents involving mobility scooters, there needs to be a test, something like the cycling proficiency test..before a person can use them.

I completely agree with this, having witness a pedestrian being mown down by an elderly lady on a scooter, and her being most rude and unapologetic about it...another elderly woman insisting on using it on the road, and turning across traffic without looking or signalling, causing a shunts as drivers had to slam on brakes, or the 'gentleman' who drives his along the footpaths at what must be 15-20 mph...so clearly tampered with.

What do you think? Test or not?

Yes, also to be made to have compulsery Insuance,most of them are not,and the speed should also be limited to walking pace.**M**

thy should be paying road tax and insurance to
some are a liability

SO yes to a test

lost count how many toes have been ran over in the supermarket :-(

I thought the speed was limited to 8mph, though I think even a runner would struggle to keep up with some of them.

yes I think so, there was a lady where I have recently moved from, she was 'known' for her lack of attention to others on the road, I've watching her myself, pulling out in front of cars with inches to spare.

You don't live down my road do you Rose?

I'm searching for a local report that one user had been banned from using it in public...damned if I can find it now.

ive seen one bombing down the moterway
in the slow lane holding traffic up
i thought that was illegal

i think they should be banned! lololol

no seriouly, yes they should be tested x

It is illegal Joy. They are designed to be used on footpaths, not roads, any roads. Some people seem to think they are the same as having a car.

I personally think they should have at least 5 lessons, and a strict test and be fully licensed, and insured before ever being allowed to use them anywhere.

that is a very good idea tw x

i thought it was TW there was a right traffic jam behind it
and the man looked about 90

we were laughing saying he had escaped from the old folks home

any vehicle that cant achieve the speed limit for the road its on should not be allowed on that road............
i;m being mean here , and specifically motor cycles that are speed limited
ie for learners that hog the road so normal traffic cant pass them!

Bob

Now I disagree with that...a vehicle, even a motor cycle, if designed to be used on the road, needs to be learned on the road..and if that means driving it slowly to begin with while learning, so be it.

But I'm not talking about road vehicles. Mobility scooters are not road vehicles...they are designed to be used on footpaths.

driving it slowly is one thing, Teresa


not being able to achieve the speed limit, is another.......limited to say 30 or less, on a 40-60 Mph road is not safe, for anyone..........

Everyone at sometime has to learn,a bit of patience is all thats needed, but I agree that the control of them should be taught off road untill proficient.

and fitted with a hooter.!!!..........plus insured,my sister had 3 toes crushed by one and needed surgery to put them right,it was 10 weeks of crutches to mend crushed and torn tendons and veins.......some you dont know they are behind you till you get a thud in the legs or a bruised ankle.

some hardly look safe and any min they will tip over,but on the whole most are sensible users.

You should have seen the mobility scooter brigade at Weston Super Mare, bombing along the front as if they were Mods in Brighton :-0

Some definitely need lessons, they are driving a lethal weapon where children are involved.

I was thinking of getting a mobility scooter, one with go faster stripes and a cannon on the front :-D :-D :-D

I think a test would be a good idea...I haven't a clue how to use one... :-S

Jules x

I agree there should be a test and they should have to at least have public liability insurance. One knocked down an elderly lady in this area, I am not sure that she actually recovered from her injuries. I know he didn't even stop but I think he was traced. I also think cyclists should have public liability insurance.

Reminds me of an elderly couple who came to the charity I volunteered for with a mobility scooter (we used to send them to another charity for repair etc). We actually liked them to work a bit- it turned out this one was burned out. The husband-a retired engineer had taken the limiter off & it had a top speed of 15mph...his wife was heartbroken because the new one only went 8mph :-0

The pavements here are narrow & the majority go up the road...favouring the middle & anytime I've been using my crutches they've been hit by a scooter they really are selfish.

There is one 'round here that looks like a Harley Chopper Trike...now when the time comes :-D