Mobility Scooters As Weapons Of Mass Destruction
I have already mentioned that I have a problem with some users of mobility scooters. I don’t mind people having them: I accept that they’re a useful method for getting around, particularly if someone has some disability. I’m right behind equality for disabled people. I’d hardly talk so much about accessibility, taking part in Blogging Against Disablism day and so on if I wasn’t in favour of equality and fairness.
So it’s not the scooters themselves I object to. What I object to is the fact that these are frequently to be found in the hands of people who seem unable to control them and are a menace to other people and to themselves.
Now, what I hadn’t realised was that any mobility scooter which can exceed 4 mph must be registered with the DVLA, although it isn’t a legal requirement to have insurance. I’m not convinced about this, particularly as some of the drivers appear either to be unable to control their vehicles or not to mind driving through pedestrians.
It’s important to note that I’m not against mobility scooters: I’m all in favour of improving the mobility of elderly or disabled people, about improving their quality of life and helping them to live as independent a life as possible. That’s all fantastic.
I just have a concern that some (not all) users of these devices aren’t capable of driving them correctly — because so far as I’m aware there’s no “driving test” — and are risking injury to themselves and to others, and on top of that, may not have any insurance.
There does also seem to be some evidence — other than just my anecdotal observations — that some drivers aren’t managing their scooters properly after a scooter was driven onto a train with such force it broke open the doors on the opposite side. Now, imagine a small child had been standing in front of those doors. Doors which, you’ll note have never, ever been forced open in this manner before:
We’ve had incidents of vandals kicking doors and damaging locks and in those cases the trains have been taken out of service. But in 27 years of operating the Metro, no door has ever been forced open. It’s unprecedented.Huw Lewis, Nexus
Let’s keep mobility scooters, and ensure that people get access to an enhanced quality of life by getting that increased mobility. But if people don’t have the skills or abilities to successfully control one of these scooters, don’t give them ones with the same degree of power. Give them a smaller, less forceful one with which they are less likely to harm themselves or others…
Hello. I am 
i’m particularly ‘amused’ by the ones that drive around gateshead on the road as if they are cars.
road tax?
mot?
insurance?
exceeding 4mph?
I think rather like cars, one has to question the merit of allowing these things to go so fast. In the same way that nobody needs a road vehicle that can drive at 100mph, nobody needs a scooter which goes any faster that 4mph - most people can’t sustain that kind of pace walking.
However, rather like driving a car on a reasonably clear road, there is a great temptation to go as fast as you can possibly go…
i don’t want them to go fast, just stay off the road.
After a bike accident(non fault), I,m stuck,for the time being, with not being able to walk, & one of my friends gave me an electric scooter. This thing can supposedly do 6mph,& even though I,m an advanced driver, & motorcyclist,gives me the frights if I try to travel at that speed around town .(pavements obv.)
The problem is, that pedestrians dont travel at that speed, and wander all over the place, (the worst, being young women in a magpie shopping stupor,-seeing something sparkly, in a shop window,usually sunglasses to wear as hairpieces or similar)and change direction without any warning.
The answers are either,to fit pedestrians with rear view mirrors, and indicators(but to be honest, most people cant use them when driving a car, so what chance when walking?),or limit the speed of said scooters,to walking pace,along with some kind of training.
My gran cant see past the end of her nose,and tries to write letters to king george,on haddock, but can get on one of these scoots, and bugger off into town at 6mph to maim people!
Scooters are fitted with an adjustable speed limiter,but my gran cant wee on her own, let alone DRIVE ! so with respect,TRAINING,is the answer,& some form of NOT SELLING, to people who are obviously not capable of using them safely. Maybe holding the salesman responsible after selling (at great profit)to senile and uncapable people.