Improper use of scooters could shorten life

3:04pm Thursday 21st June 2012 in Letters

WHILE I understand and applaud the added independence afforded many people by mobility scooters, I cannot help but think that many users are not only a danger to themselves but also to others.

I frequently see people using them on busy roads and even negotiating roundabouts, when the machine is clearly neither designed for, nor fit for such usage.

Often other road users have to swerve or brake suddenly when mobility scooters drive on to the road without care for safety.

A friend was stopped by the police for using her scooter on the road and explained that she was told by the salesman that it was legal to do so. The police officer admitted that he was not fully conversant with the law covering such usage. Can anyone perhaps shed some light on this apparent grey area?

Surely there must be a requirement for registration of the vehicle at DVLA, some sort of roadworthiness test and also insurance before being allowed for use on the highway. Children are taught in many schools how to ride a bike.

Could there not be a provision/requirement for a mobility scooter proficiency training scheme?

I am not against scooters. I am just concerned that while improving the quality of life they could also lead to a shortening of it.

CHRIS YOUNG Great Sankey

Comments(16)

Nick Tessla says...
4:27pm Thu 21 Jun 12

A lot of the people who ride around on these things are ignorant and selfish, if not down right dangerous. They are driven along pavements and pedestrianised areas at too high a speed for the amount of others around and with no consideration for other pedestrians. If I remember rightly the Highway Code says they should not be driven above walking speed on pavements.



Being on them does not give them any special rights and the riders need to learn some basic courtesy and consideration for others.


If you need, I mean want, to get past a pedestrian then try asking, not ringing a stupid little bell.

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moleogod says...
6:02pm Thu 21 Jun 12

a lot of these people can not get on the pavements no access. so the road is really the only answer for some. people just need to have a little more patients

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The Maestro says...
12:03am Fri 22 Jun 12

Scooters on the pavement must travel no faster than 4mph, certain type of mobility scooters are able to use the road but must have tax which is charged at £0 due to it being a disabilty vehicle, it must have lights such as brake lights and indicators and if being used on a road it should have an amber flashing light to warn other road users its a slow moving vehicle. A scooter on the pavement has to give way to pedestrians not the otherway round.

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tankmanchris says...
7:25pm Sat 23 Jun 12

Moleogod, thank you for taking the time to read, and indeed reply to my letter. I accept that there are some short stretches of pavement around the town where a scooter may have difficulties in getting off the road but sadly the truth is that the council has indeed fulfilled it's obligation, in the town area at least, to provide access to the pathways for wheelchair and scooter users. Regarding the need for patients, I am not a medico so need none. Patience, however, I have in abundance. That is why I air my views in these pages and not by leaning out of my vehicle window lambasting scooter users for using the public highway in a manner which could cause them harm.

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nextdoor says...
8:19am Mon 25 Jun 12

One elderly gentleman held up traffic the other day as it was too dangerous to pass him and he kept weaving into the road when people did. He was only too happy to show the people who beeped his middle finger.

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silverlady54 says...
11:49am Mon 25 Jun 12

You have to wonder why, if Maestro can quote the law regarding these scooters, why the police do not know and enforce it. Not done their homework?

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Nick Tessla says...
5:24pm Mon 25 Jun 12

silverlady54 wrote:
You have to wonder why, if Maestro can quote the law regarding these scooters, why the police do not know and enforce it. Not done their homework?
It's the same with cycling on the pavement - mind you their Community Support Officers actually habitually do that themselves so it might be a bit tricky to be seen doing someone for something they do themselves.

Possibly with scooters they are worried about the bad PR.

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frank100 says...
4:46pm Tue 26 Jun 12

Get the fatties off the scooters and make them walk instead.

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Cleopatra says...
8:59pm Tue 26 Jun 12

frank100 wrote:
Get the fatties off the scooters and make them walk instead.
I don't like you. You really are an objectionable person.

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old-codger says...
9:50pm Tue 26 Jun 12

Cleopatra says...

I don't like you. You really are an objectionable person.”

Well said cleo, I casn think of worse things to call him.

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Cleopatra says...
11:33pm Tue 26 Jun 12

Well so could I really but I thought I would put it politely. ;)

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frank100 says...
9:11am Wed 27 Jun 12

meow.....i`m sure you two are in bed together...literally
.Or perhaps your a fatty who uses a scooter too.

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silverlady54 says...
10:41am Wed 27 Jun 12

When posters have to resort to nasty personal comments, it usually means they don't have anything useful or constructive to say!

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Cleopatra says...
12:02pm Wed 27 Jun 12

Poor frank rarely does have anything useful or constructive to say. That is why he so often resorts to base remarks and inults people who do not agree with him. He truly is objectionable.
That last post of his says a lot more about his mentality and character than it does about old codger and I.

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choperado says...
11:36pm Wed 27 Jun 12

I think if frank100 was to expand on his fatties comment with some reasoning to back his judgement, we may have a slightly more interesting menage a trois. So Frankie, what brings you to your conclusion. The world awaits your profound grasp of the Queen's English and Paxman-like tenacity.

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Cleopatra says...
7:22am Fri 29 Jun 12

Menage a trois, choperado?

I can assure you that I have absolutely no desire for a sexual relationship with frank! Indeed - perish the thought!

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