Mobility scooters .......on the road!

PS since I began using a mobility scooter I found one or two problems about handling the machine and using public roads and paths. Despite the low top speed it should be necessary to pass a test and be licensed to use one whether or not it's a road-legal mobility scooter.

Kittylester, I do drive it on carriageways only where they are quiet, or if I can cross safely. I agree they are unsuited to busy main roads. Quiet suburban streets are okay if you drive carefully with attention to the Highway Code.

I do worry about a lovely local man. I have seen him several times on the 'rat run' road between our villages - no lights on his scooter, plus he always wears a grey mac. Luckily I saw him with his daughter the other day and said I have a spare reflective waist coat if he'd like it. He's in a dream world following the death of his wife, such a nice man.

How to fit all road users on our busy and often congested roads?
Lorries may not see an 8mph scooter.
Scooters could not possibly use cycle tracks as cyclists usually pedal much faster than 8mph which is the top speed for roadworthy mobility scooters. How could a cyclist safely overtake?
Some mobility scooter users are not road savvy and many (but obvs not all) are elderly and have no idea of the Highway Code guidelines which roads users should know.
They ought to be banned from roads.
I also agree that they're a blooming nuisence in shops as are double buggies and people standing in groups chatting which impede your progress on pavements or when shopping.

nuisence nuisance

Gabriella, these are all problems that should be addressed by policy makers. They are not the only problems. Disabled people need to get out and about with some independence.

Gabriella, why should I be banned from using a road?

Anniebach, A car is a thousand times worse for the environment than a mobility scooter.

It wont be long before all road vehicles are electric ones.

True Alexa,

For your own safety Anniebach
Would you be comfortable tootling along at maximum 8mph and being passed perilously close by a huge delivery truck like the Waitrose ones or a tractor or an artic going 40-50mph especially in bad weather when visibility is compromised?
I don't know why you're asking as you wouldn't be doing it anyway.
Trust users to get up in arms.
If you or any scooter users want to get number plates, indicators and pay road tax that's all well and good but you certainly wouldn't be comfortable on most A and B roads, that's for sure.
I hope you try it in future when you get out and about and report back here to let other users know how you got on.

Alexa
Do you think I live in a bubble?
Why suppose that I don't realise that disabled people need to get out and about?
That's ridiculous, but they need to do it safely. You know how many road users detest cyclists who can react much quicker on a bike than a person on a mobility scooter...and how many accidents cyclists have with vehicles.
I'd go mad having to drive behind a scooter doing 6-8mph and so would the vast majority of road users.

Tough on car drivers then. Discrimination against the disabled is so wrong.

They have obviously enhanced the lives of many people who have mobility problems, but they can be a hazard, and sadly not every operator seems to know how to use them

If I drove down one way streets the wrong way, or held up rush hour traffic I’d be prosecuted, so yes, they’re an enormous help to a lot of people, but please have a quick glance at the Highway Code before you invest in one

A woman not far from where I live tears around on hers like a bat out of Hell and many's the time it's me who's had to suddenly step onto the road to avoid her. She's got one of those faces that says right away " say anything if you dare ".

It seems to be assumed those who use mobility scooters have never had a driving licence

Actually I do drive on the main road if I have too and , I know this is mind blowing, but there are tractors on the road , and lorries too .

And cyclists and horses !

We all manage to not kill each other . Shocking eh? ?

NannaandGrampy. The critics of mobility scooters should live in rural Wales, tractors, horses, sheep, combines, chickens, geese, milk lorries, horses boxes, hunting hounds .

I think mobility scooters are great. I won't hesitate to get one if I need it. But I do think if they are used on main roads they should be fit for this purpose and should be insured. In fact the way some folk drive on the pavement they would need to be insured.

If you get your road worthy scooter through Motability I believe it is insured for road use annepl.

I wonder if I could raise the flag of 'discrimination' if I wanted to walk in the road when most pavements have cars parked on them. Perhaps mums with buggies to do that too.
Y'know, if you want to tootle about on public highways that's fine, just don't block my progress whether on pavement or highway and I wish you all the very best Anniebach when you take to the streets. I know that there are country lanes which are as dangerous as some A roads in towns so take care.
Do let us know how it goes in Powys.

Thanks Nanaandgrampa I didn't know that.

I know it's a serious thread but your post made me laugh Bluebelle especially the fag in mouth lady.

Cycle lane will be clogged up with cyclists doing an average speed of 17-20mph, e-scooters 14mph tops and mobility scooters 8mph tops.
I wonder who will fare best and who will get the most flak.

One of the scooter drivers in my op was on a very busy dual carriageway and very indistinct until we were almost on top of his. It was difficult to slow down sufficiently and, due to the busyness of the road, impossible to change lanes to avoid him.

We saw him later being 'spoken to' by an ambulance driver.

Totally different from slower roads, country lanes etc.

I think Motability is only available if you are in receipt of certain disability benefits?
Of course there should be some controls on who can use mobility scooters and when and where. And insurance should be compulsory. There has been an explosion in their use and sadly some users are completely at best unaware and at worst couldn’t care less about other road/pavement users.