Mobility Scooters

jambutty · 10-01-2007, 13:59

A news report reveals that recently a person has been knocked down and seriously injured by one of these scooters. Other reports reveal that some people have actually been killed.

These scooters are supposed to be for people with severe walking difficulties but anyone can buy one and require no license of any sort and no insurance. Although you can get insurance if you have a mind to. I’m told that a typical insurance cover for a Mobility Scooter is around £48 pa with a liability to the maximum of £2,000,000.

Taken from http://www.discountscooters.co.uk/extra/pages-page_2/index.html

Quote:

Where Can Scooters Be Used
TYPES OF CLASS 2 SCOOTERS
Legally these scooters can travel up to 6.4kph (4mph) on pavements and are allowed on the road to cross from one side of the road to the other.
TYPES OF CLASS 3 VEHICLES
The main difference between Class 3 and Class 2 vehicles is that Class 3 vehicles tend to be larger and can be used on the roads where they can travel up to 12.8kph (8mph).
It is usually possible to drive at 6.4 kph (4mph)and switch to 12.8kph (8mph).
Class 3 vehicle users do not require a driving license but should obey the Highway Code at all times.
This includes complying with relevant eyesight requirements and not driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs etc.
Class 3 vehicles are not allowed on motorways, bicycle tracks or bus/cycle lanes.
Although legally allowed on dual carriageways, this is not recommended.
Speed
Two speed settings, usually changed by a switch.
12.8kph - maximum speed Permitted only on the road. Not for use on the pavement or footpath.
6.4kph - 4mph maximum speed Permitted on the pavement or footpath.
Lights/indicators/horn/rear view mirror/rear reflectors
The law requires class 3 vehicles to be fitted with all these features.
Flashing beacon
Optional - can be used when driving on the road to warn other road users of their presence, and must be used if driving on a dual carriageway although we do not recommend this.
Insurance is not legally required for any powered vehicle in either category, Class 2 for pavement use or Class 3 for pavement and road use.
However, it is recommended that the purchaser have at least public liability Insurance, covering accidental damage to other people and property.

What are your thoughts on this issue?

garinda · 10-01-2007, 14:07

They should be forced to all be insured.

They should carry a licence, showing they are insured, similar to a car tax disc.

If found not to be so, they should be heftily fined.

Although useful to infirm people, some of the drivers show as much concern for other people as boy racers.

***Mr D*** · 10-01-2007, 14:09

Insurance is available and that price sounds about right.

I agree that as its a motorised vehicle you should me made to have minmum insurance.

As for riding them on the pavement.

On a Dual Carrageway. talk about Death Wish.

Tealeaf · 10-01-2007, 14:09

I'm surprised there is not yet a tandem version on the market. It seems to me that would be a good pick-up for the local totty after a good night on the town; who needs a Ferrari, when you've got something as enviromentally friendly as this, with any emissions coming later?

I'm sure there is at least one wench on here who would be glad for a lift home from yours truly; naturally, I ride poke position.

lancsdave · 10-01-2007, 14:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

They should carry a licence, showing they are insured, similar to a car tax disc.

Does that mean they should have a certificate of insurance or a tax disc ?

chav1 · 10-01-2007, 14:21

these things are as much as a hazzard as those bloody mini motor bikes and should have to have insurance tax ,and some kind of M.O.T

does anyone remember those spaz chariots as we called them when we were kids with teh big plastic bubble as a roof, they were hillarious to watch trying to get up dill hall lane or whalley road lol

lancsdave · 10-01-2007, 14:23

I feel more threatened shopping in Asda with trolley drivers than I do with mobility scooters but maybe I'm biased.

accymel · 10-01-2007, 14:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

I feel more threatened shopping in Asda with trolley drivers than I do with mobility scooters but maybe I'm biased.

yeh asda does nowt for your blood pressure doesn't it

lol

garinda · 10-01-2007, 14:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

Does that mean they should have a certificate of insurance or a tax disc ?

No not legally, that's just what I think should happen.

West Ender · 10-01-2007, 15:04

You can hire one of the smaller scooters, for shopping, in Warrington market. It makes me wonder how the people who hire them get into the market in the first place if they can't walk? Even the market car park is about 100 yards across a fly-over. Once they are on the scooters and out shopping they are lethal. If I see one coming I make as wide a detour as possible as the drivers have nothing in their minds except where they want to go and God help those who get in the way.

The bigger ones - we have one that tootles through our village. He lives on the busy, 60 limit main road and he sets off at 8 m.p.h regardless of other traffic then makes a right turn into the village centre. He doesn't signal, slow down, speed up or whatever - he just goes. Naturally, drivers are careful not to hit him so the problem is to avoid hitting each other as they avoid him.

cherokee · 10-01-2007, 16:27

I was up town some months back and witnessed an old guy on one of these things and he went striaght into this poor womans legs knocking her to the ground and grazing her legs , thing was this woman was quite elderly also ,

I personally think that if they elderly or infirm are to use these things then they should at least have knowledge of how to use them safely and have knowledge of the busy roads we have today ,because most just buy them n ride them without actually reallising just how much damage they can do

***Mr D*** · 10-01-2007, 16:32

Now imagine the shock when he they get a letter holding them responsable for injuries or damages from a solicitor.

Im sure there would be many of these 'No Win No Fee' types that would happly take it on.

I cant see how they get away without requiring insurance even if it was just for third party.

WillowTheWhisp · 10-01-2007, 16:32

Some people can walk short distances or for a little while without suffering pain but would not be capable of wandering around to do all their shopping which is why hiring these things is a godsend.

However, I do agree that some people are lethal on them and maybe they should have lessons before being allowed to drive them and yes I do think there should be insurance. I don't know how that would work for the hired ones but I'm sure it's possible.

A friend of ours had one once whilst she was waiting for a hip op and she ran over Mimi's foot, then reversed and ran over it again!

panther · 10-01-2007, 20:04

..........should stay on the bloody road, was crossing over the road once and some silly old mare said to me 'your supposed to walk on the left side'

wtf...... I wont say what I replied!

grego · 10-01-2007, 20:20

I think the owners of these should take out insurance and maybe even have to have a lesson. My Grandad has two of these that he doesn't use thankfully as he isn't at all capable, they belonged to my Grandma, but if he decided one day to get on and go into town, who would stop him? Also why do drivers of these things think they have right of way?