Mobility Scooters

@forumhostpb wrote:

Well this is all well and good Dawny, but Cas hasn’t suggested that the driver of this motorised wheelchair was drunk at the time of the accident. Simply that her aged mother got run into by one – and sadly was injured.

We assume that this acident happened on a pavement and that therefore the vehicle was a Class2 – speed restricted vehicle.

It could have been a total accident; it could have been an avoidable accident; it could even have been deliberate – we simply do not know, hence my questions.

However, the real underlying issue is that these conveyances are not classed as ”vehicles” within the meaning of the various Road Traffic Acts. A Class 3 scooter is considered a vehicle under the Road Traffic Acts in that there is a mandatory requirement for front and rear lights and Indicators if used on a road (but not a pavement). They are however exempt from Road Fund Licence and number plates under special rules. A class 2 scooter is exempt from these requirements but is confined to use only on the pavement.

So if you want to take issue with the use of these scooters then you need to campaign for a change in the Mobility Vehicle Regulations so that their use is restricted ONLY to those who hold a proper licence to drive them and are fully insured, and comply with the Road Traffic Acts etc etc.

Of course if you do this you will find that those disabled people who rely on using them to get around may well not be able to comply with the Road Traffic Act requirements and thus be confined to a wheelchair or their homes.

Tough choice isn’t it???

The driver of this particular one was drunk PB, he’s often drunk. There were many witenesses to this mostly the market traders, who all!!! say that the man is a menace. My mum isn’t the first person he’s hit, but unfortunately, she’s the first one he hurt so seriously.

I wasnt suggesting for one moment that these things should be banned. They should however, be driven responsibly, just as I am expected to do in my car.

His machine is a Class 3 Type, yes top speed of 8mph, not very fast no, but you don’t need it crashing straight into the back of you at it’s full 8mph, and the not being happy with having knocked you down, actually ends up on top of you. He still at that point had it in the GO position and the wheels were spinning as two of his wheels were off the ground, the other two were on my mum. Having a top speed of even 8mph he’s not allowed to drive it on a pavement or pedestrian precinct at more than 4mph. It’s the class 3 type, which is supposed to, already!! be registered with the DVLA when purchased. But they’re not, THAT!!! pb is what I am trying to change. I’d defy you, fast or anyone else here who thinks the entire situation is funny, to do anything different were you in the position I find myself in.

The police tell me that theres little they can do as these things aren’t and don’t register, and they should. On Tuesday night, my mum was moved from the hospital she was in, to another one, which is actually nearer to me. I was following the ambulance and I was stopped by the police,,,,,,,,,they asked me to turn off my engine and asked me if I knew why i’d been stopped,,,,,,,I said no, the officer then proceeded to give me a lecture on LITTERING!!!! I was gobsmacked, I asked was he bored!!! (i’d thrown a cigarette end out of the window) but then I don’t doubt for one moment that you’ll find that equally as funny as you find my mum being under the wheels of this scooter. As for, ”what harm can they do” well let me suggest that you stand in front of one of them and let it hit you,,,,then you might find out.

To bring you up to speed on my mums condition. And I fully appreciate that none of it has been helped by her age,,,,,,,,,,We were told yesterday PB, that in view of the extent of her injuries,,,,we have to be prepared for the fact that she may well lose her leg. Well PB and Fast, why don’t the pair of you go and have a good laugh about that!!