Mobility scooters

They should not be in the road. So the answer is no.

Sorry, badly worded I should have just said “out on a mobility scooter.” My Mum would have to cross roads to get anywhere she wanted to go. Would you be happy for your mum, or dad to be using one?

Would you prefer your mother to sit at home bored to tears? There are lots of people of all ages using scooters these days.

Hmm, beginning to think we need a test, or at least a registration number.

I saw three accidents in my town this week involving mobility scooters. One knocked down a toddler (scraped hands and knees), one bumped another pensioner ( no fall, probably bruising), one brought down a motor cyclist by crossing the road without stopping (ambulance).

They really are becoming a bit of a menace. Along with cyclistits and children on scooters, the pavement isn’t safe for pedestrians any more☹️

If she could drive it sensibly why not?,
They can be a pain at times when driven by the wrong people,
An exampe is my Dh was hit by one as she was driving far too fast on the pavement,we were not happy and she said sorry and off she went,nether the less,had it been a child she would have caused serious injury.

Obviously ‘yes’ if it was the alternative to someone being housebound. However, I do think there should be some formal tuition/assessment before being let loose. My DF would’ve been great - a driver all his life, so he knew the rules of the road and would have employed them wherever. My FIL had never driven, so he wouldn’t have a clue and I’d see him being a problem.
My DD2 (a wheelchair user) had a formal assessment for driving when she was 16, before we embarked on driving lessons for her.
Whilst I agree with some sort of registration and insurance for mobility scooters etc this would rekindle a debate about the same for cyclists, many of whom are a menace. A different debate?

In my area I would not be surprised if the person was knocked out of the scooter and the scooter stolen to sell later.

I am 91 with driving licence and can drive a 8mph mob scooter. I agree there should be a driving test and insurance requirement.

PS handling a mob scooter is not like handling a car, and the test should include near perfect handling ability.

They are a real nuisance here although I certainly wouldn’t have stopped mum or dad using one it would have been their choice
I ve been knocked off my bike by one coming out a side road I had one run right over my foot in a shop

I don’t know if it’s just here but there are people using them who obviously don’t have a mobility problem there is a woman lives near me she is in her 40 s she hops in and out has a big trailer on the back and loud loud music blaring out from some orifice on this thing and rides everywhere at speed
I ve seen lads with girlfriends on their knees and people with kids hanging off every spare area I swear some use them as cheap cars

Thanks for the replies. My mum has driven for years. Midgey, one of my biggest concerns is that without it she would be confined to the house, but I wondered what others thought. Caleo, your post is really reassuring.

I agree, Bluebell , mob scooters use should be limited to people who need them.

There are a lot in use round here. With flat, wide pavements, they are safe and not normally a nuisance, but there are some users who go much too fast, especially at junctions. I agree a test would be a good thing.

I think there should be a requirement for training, testing and insurance. Probably many people who use them (especially older ladies) have never driven a car and have no knowledge of the Highway Code. Some may also be mentally unfit to use them or have problems with spatial awareness and would be unable hold a driving licence. Some drivers of mobility scooters are a menace. It’s a fine balance between safety and isolation isn’t it?

It would help if they were all limited to walking pace, say 4 miles an hour. I can’t see any reason why they should go faster than the average pedestrian. They are a substitute for walking after all.

The faster pace is what makes them so dangerous to pedestrians.

I would have been over the moon to have seen my once vital, active mum being out and about again.

There are a lot more around now and I do think people need a test to use them - not a driving test but at least some instruction as they could cause a fatal accident if knocking a child or frail person over. Also insurance. I don't think they are meant to be on the road though they are quite heavy.

It depends on the Mum. Some mothers I have met would be absolutely fine, others, I wouldn't let cross a road holding my hand.

It also depends on the kind of roads that need to be crossed, whether there are pedestrian crossings or traffic lights and the amount of traffic

To put it simply, the decision whether I would let my mother use a mobility scooter is as long as a piece of string and dependent on so many factors, the answer would be 'I do not know'

Unless someone lacks capacity, then it's up to them.

Even if they lack capacity they can still use one. Unfortunately.

It's a minefield here.
They speed through crowds, scattering people like skittles!

DH now has one which has made such a difference to both our lives. Before walking was painful for him with arthritis in both knees and hips and so we never went anywhere. However he would never go into a shopping centre or any crowded area with his scooter, despite being a competent car driver. We tend to use it for walks where there hard paths eg Virginia Waters, RHS Wisley.

Mollygo. I can drive, i have a car, I am 57 years old ( just ) and I need a mobility scooter to get about places. I feel absolutely 100% thrilled that I have been to ----, done the things I used to, loved every second, felt totally independent. I park the scooter outside the shop i want to go in. Get the stick ( that is in the little basket at the front) and breeze around the shop, maybe make a purchase, then onto the next, honestly for me, its a new lease of life.

I agree with Lathyrus - speed is the main problem.

Four miles an hour would be a good maximum speed, though I think they should be going much slower than that in pedestrian areas, because the average pedestrian probably isn't going much above 2 miles an hour.

It would be hard to police though without something like a registration number.

It does seem wrong that a driver of one of these can cause injury or damage, but get away with simply driving away, even if there are a lot of witnesses, while there would be huge repercussions for a car driver who did that, however minor the incident.