mobility scooter tests

[mollykins]

do you think people who want to drive a scooter should have a test?

Ifd they've been told they can't drive a car for safety reasons, how will a scooter be much safer, i've ehard of hit and run scooter accidents, probably the driver was to blind to see what they'd done.

[hc4361]

A lot of people who use mobility scooters have never driven a car. It is not intended to replace a car, but help people who have difficulty walking any distance.

[society]

"do you think people who want to drive a scooter should have a test? "

Yes, yes and yes.

[mollykins]

But if they are nearly blind, deaf and have slow reactions, surely it isn't safe?

[mollykins]

I'm 16, how do you know i haven't got a moped licence?

[hc4361]

Why are they blind, with slow reactions and deaf?

A lot of users are under 50 and have problems with walking, nothing else.

[daffy654]

Would you have these disabled people confined to their homes mollykins?

People with your attitude to disabled people make me sick! It isn't just the elderly who need mobility scooters by the way, I live near a special school where there are young people of your age who use motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

[mollykins]

i got you there.

Plus the drivers come storming along on the pavements, shouldn't they go on the road, even push bikes are meant to be on the road, unless you're under a certain age.

[mollykins]

I was in a normal, manual wheelchair for 3 years because of my spina bifida.

As long as they are competant and can react quickly enough and are sensilbe, then anyone should be allowed a scooter, but if not then they're a danger to themselves and other people.

[mollykins]

so a test would ensure that people can use them properly and aren't a danger, thats all i'm thinking about.

[daffy654]

As someone who previously needed a wheelchair you should know better then mollykins!

[mollykins]

But i wouldn't want to use a motorised vehcile, knowing i'm a danger to myself and other people, thats why people having lessons and tests for mopeds, motorbikes and cars.

[mollykins]

They're just a slower, and almost as dangerous version, in the wrong hands.

[society]

I've seen some of them drive like the pavement is their private property. And don't talk about inside the grocery and stores; some of them need serious training.

[vulcan]

To be fair to mollykins, I don't think she is anti disabled people, it's, do they need a driving test. I agree, after all a perfectly normal, able bodied person has to take one to drive any other vehicle. Surely somebody driving a mobility on pavements need some form of tuition ? Incidentally I was almost knocked down by one recently because the driver was on his mobile phone.

[McMouse]

//But if they are nearly blind, deaf and have slow reactions, surely it isn't safe? //

We've got plenty of these round here and they all drive cars.

[mollykins]

finaly society, someone who sees sense.

Coincidentally, did anyone hear the radio programme about it, it was probably on radio 4 as my dad had put it on.

[mollykins]

Vulcan, on the programme, there were stories from people of how they were walking on the pavement and were knocked over and because the driver was nearly blind and deaf, they didn't notice and carried on, now if that had happened in a car, the person would be tracked down, fine or charged with hit and run and have their licence taken off of them.