Should those mobility vehicles really be driven on the pavement?

Question

I've had it a few times where they come shooting past me in the pedestrianized area. Sure they do up to 10-15mph. If bicylces were doing that speed with pedal power there would be a public outrage. And never had one that even bothered to look what that whiff of wind was as they whizzed past me.

What you think? Should they be on the pavements and pedestrianised areas as they are or should they have speed restriction that makes them unable to go faster than walking speed?

UK question.

Answer 1

In the UK there are two different kinds of mobility vehicle. One that is only capable of 4 miles per hour (a reasonably fast walking pace) and another capable of 8 miles per hour. I understand that the ones that can reach 8 miles per hour (and are allowed to use roads) are soon to require insurance. There are no plans (as far as I know), to require people with the slower machines to be insured.

I work with people who use these as their only means of going out independently. For this reason alone I think they are excellent.

I think the people who sell them should be required by law to ensure the user is competent when they sell them.

Answer 2

Better the pavement than the road - the number of times I've seen near misses as a mobility vehicle trundles along the middle of a 40mph road.
The drives should be responsible when they are on the pavement though. The vehicles do have different speeds and it's sheer ignorance that makes people go too fast and risk hurtin pedestrians.

Answer 3

Any politician who would put this law forward as a bill would soon be labelled a heartless bast@rd and would be unelectable, so I don't ever this happening. <> Who said they aren't liable? Is there a law somewhere saying people in scooters are not responsible for their actions? I imagine even if you did license scooters the plates would be pretty small and difficult to read. Plus while scooters are more common it's not like there are millions of them in every city which would make identifying the person in the scooter difficult. People in scooters tend to go to the same places and take the same routes often, so even if they did run someone over I'm sure they would be easy to locate if they took off.

Answer 4

What about a normal wheelchair, or a person who just walks really quickly - should they use the road instead too? The mobility buggy thing moves about as fast as a person jogging and unless we drop the road speed limits to 10MPH all the mobility vehicles would get fimed for driving dangerously slowly.

Really the machines should be designed to go no faster than, say, 8MPH as this is a safe speed.

Answer 5

I have no problem with them being driven on the pavement apart from when the old folks behind the wheel have no regard for me as a pedestrian, or any other pedestrians for that matter. This whole 'they are disabled' thing doesn't wash with me. What about visually impaired people? Or other older people who would find it hard to get out of the way in a hurry?

I'm only too happy to show respect for our older generations, but I do expect some of this respect to be returned.

Answer 6

They should be on the Pedestrianized area, but some of these folks are barely learning how to manuever themselves on their Power Wheelchair/Scooter so they probably haven't gotten the hang of things. But others do think of it as a car (which is not). Some of these POV's (power operated vehicle) have Solid Insert tires, which means they can't go flat, so they feel free to zip right by you. I had a gentleman one time, honk at me, because I was walking to slow and was taking space, onced I move away he push that joystick forward and took off like if it was a racecar. I've also seen one park in the handicap space in front of a Krispy Kreme shop...... now that's too much!

Answer 7

I honestly believe they should be banned totally. They are not just a danger to pedestrians, but lethal when they trundle down a road causing motorists to go round them. They are not taxed, insured and you dont even need a licence to drive one of them. If a pedestrian was hit by one who are they going to claim against ? If a car or motorbike had to swerve out of the way of them and had an accident like running over someone or having a fatal crash who would pay for for it all ? Not the dumb person on the motobility whatever you call them. But the poor person that was in the accident. They are a menace and should be banned altogether.

Answer 8

But I was stuck behind one on a road before and it was pretty frustrating, maybe they should stick to bike lanes? Or bus lanes?
I bet you're jealous though, just a little bit? As you have to trudge through the rain and the cold at only 3-4 miles per hour and then this old guy comes up behind you tooting his little horn and speeding past under his waterproof top and a pipe in his mouth... ooh I can't wait till I get old!

Answer 9

They are a problem on the roads more so than a pavement ... they drive too slow and they dont need to wear a helmet ... think they are safer on the pavement rather than the roads ....

Answer 10

Naughty, naughty drampor!
Actually the users ought to be held responsible for inappropriate handicap car driving. Made to drive in roadways, well that is dangerous as well.
Sadly, I see no good solution.
Charles--That Cheeky Lad