Mobility Scooters

[SmoothRB]

I'm seeing quite a lot around my way recently.

Or at least a lot on the road. I'm sure years ago they used the pavement?

Point is they are REALLY SLOW and HARD TO SEE.

Obviously the former is to do with the feeble electic powerplant but the latter is to do with the small profile and drap colour schemes/lack of high visibility stuff.

Overtaking one is always an anxiety - not sure why - maybe I subconcious suspect the occupant is half-senile and apt to do any crazy, unpredictable manouver?

Should they be allowed on the roads? Yes or No. What is wrong with the pavements?

[Miguelski]

Yes they most certainly should be allowed on the roads as they give independence and flexibility to a lot of people to whom it would otherwise be denied.

Class 1 & 2 invalid carriages are designed for use on the pavement and Class 3 for the road.

I would imagine that most are to be found trundling along on roads with a 30mph speed restriction and therefore would be easy enough for an observant driver to spot and negotiate as a potential obstacle.

Whilst the rider of a mobility scooter may be half senile, it may alternatively be that they are fully in charge of their faculties, and just making the most of getting about unaided rather than being stuck at home.

It might however be argued that the drivers of many cars are somewhat intolerant and pretty poor at adapting their driving style to the prevailing conditions and presence of other road users.

Just my opinion mind...

Miguelski

[109 Bob]

Yes.

[Mars]

My Dad used one, until his death, but never on the road. IMO they should be seen as an alternative to walking, and so should keep to pavements. They *are* dangerous for their occupants on the road in very many scenarios. The don't compare with bicycles - they're half the speed for a start.

[Graebob]

Miguelski said:

...very sensible things...

+1. We must all consider that we might be in that position one day. I think I'm going to keep a PH sticker in my stash for when I'm an OAP and put it on whatever space age scooter transport they have in 2050.

[Sway]

I live in a village known as a London retirement haven, and the local Royal British Legion generally has around 10 of the things outside....

Some are ridden by proper ex-petrolheads (one guys has replaced the batteries and motors so it is seriously quick for a scooter!), some are ridden by feckwits that think that a eleventy point turn in aisle 3 of Tesco's, smashing into the fridges and people, is perfectly fine as they are old.

Like guns, genitalia and drugs, it all depends on the user...

[Morningside]

I still think that there should be a CBT for them and a simple licence to give the ability to drive. That could be revoked on medical grounds. This would stop 'blind' people riding them.

Also, it occurred to me yesterday. Not a criticism just an observation - you see hundreds of them going around the town and village but how many do you see in the corridors of a hospital? One? Two? So, where are they? Have they all been cured?

[stylo]

I did not know about the class thing. Now I'm pretty sure I've seen lots of the class 1 and 2's on the road. I've seen a few of the ones with the plastic roof things for the rain that seem to be class 3's but most seem to be the others. I do admit that they are very dull colored and if I remember correctly have small reflectors. The point in the original post I think is that they can be hard to see the occupants do seem to be out in the road (normaly in the middle of it) when they should be on the pavement and they are sooo slow(as they are class 1 and 2 I pressume). I do understand its a lifeline to those who are unable to go out and enjoy life like the rest of us, where I live its generally people who have eaten too many pies or people who can't be bothered. I do live in a benefit scroungers paradise/ sthole though.