Time to license mobility scooters...?

[Plumb]

You've done well to reach 173 years old or so

Yes Tempus Fugit

 

[tacr2man]

Our pub regular ,not very able can have 3 or4 pints then mobility scooter home, apparently legal

Don't think so RTA 1988 as amended in 2011 S 4 (1)

(1)A person who, when driving or attempting to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place, is unfit to drive through drink or drugs is guilty of an offence.

mechanically propelled vehicle" is not defined in the Road Traffic Acts. It is ultimately a matter of fact and degree for the court to decide. At its most basic level it is a vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means. It can include both electrically and steam powered vehicles.(CPS)

 

[Feltwell]

Short answer is, yes, there should some kind of restrictions and if the only mobility vehicle available to those who don’t really need a car was the one in this photo, there would be far few takers.



View attachment 654082

Ahh the "Invacar" - lethal bloody things, and not good for the wheelchair user either - no way to take a passenger for starters. Meant to be a road car of course, very different to a mobility scooter.

My Dad tells a story of helping out on a week long Red Cross Butlins trip for people with disabilities, sometime around 1970. Young guy with an Invacar got thoroughly drunk on the first night, then tried to drive his Invacar down some steps - my Dad then spends the rest of the week with the Invacar in the Butlins workshop, fixing the broken steering and beating it all back into shape so the guy could drive home at the end of the week!

 

[Mrsambulancekidd]

One goes past my house regularly, has his golf clubs on the back !

Would love know what his disabilities are.

I can walk, but I use a scooter, in theory I could play golf if I wanted to, but it doesn't mean I don't need a scooter.

 

[AndyPK]

I can walk, but I use a scooter, in theory I could play golf if I wanted to, but it doesn't mean I don't need a scooter.

So, what’s the theory of golf then, Hazel……….???

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[Mrsambulancekidd]

registration and a driving licence

You don't need a licence to use a mobility scooter.

So, what’s the theory of golf then, Hazel……….???

Well the theory is that it's a good walk spoiled, but I used to play it years ago and I enjoyed it at the time.

 

[Minxy]

if the only mobility vehicle available to those who don’t really need a car was the one in this photo, there would be far few takers.

Nowt wrong with them, my dad had many due to his disability and used to go all over the UK in them, he adapted his so they were his camper and negated the need to use b&bs etc. If it wasn't for him I wouldn't have gone to swimming each week along with him to the disabled swimming club, or had trips out. Yes I know now I shouldn't have been in it but why not, it didn't make it unsafe. Don't knock them until you've used one, they were very well designed to allow a wheelchair to fit inside.next to the driver.

 

[DumfriesDik]

The idea that you need to register and get a v5 for a class 3 scooter is not well thought through. What's the point? In the real world it serves no purpose. It's akin to ask joggers to register, just ridiculous.

I think the 8mph limit should be doubled to be compatible with two wheeled scooters and ebikes.

There is a 'syndrome' whereby folk under pressure press the wrong pedal when driving a car. You will have seen it where a car crashes through a shop window. When interviewed, they thought they were pressing the brake. We have all seen those. And it is similar for some people on mobility scooters. It doesn't excuse rudeness etc. but it does explain why some users shoot off. It is not every scooter user.

As others have said, the law is quite clear on what can and can't be with regard to class 3 scooters. The speed, weight, length and width are all prescribed. One incident doesn't make it the norm for all users, far from it.

 

[Marty Gilly and Pup]

I can walk, but I use a scooter, in theory I could play golf if I wanted to, but it doesn't mean I don't need a scooter.

Until last year I shifted thousands of these through the warehouse and distribution centre I was managing. A version existed in old stocks which was golf specific, having a proper club rack at the back and fat knobbly tires akin to a golf cart. Was road legal also but very expensive!

 

[denisejoe]

NO only the two wheel scooters are illegal

MOBILITY scooters have a V5 class of their own

I was talking about the two wheel scooters being illegal not mobility scooters, sorry for the confusion.

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[Littlewheels]

Look at this beauty, it would be great for taking the Mrs around Asda

 

[BobJayne]

Regularly see disability scooters parked outside of pubs around my way.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Some folk are using them as alternatives to cars.

Apparently, they should only be for those with disabilities but the second market is busy with folk selling off scooters from recently departed family members and they're being snapped up by able-bodied users.

I see them as just another mode of transport. My neighbour has one, he drives a car and is able to walk short distances, are you saying that only people will a disability should have one? I am considering getting one myself as the cost of diesel is so high, I see it as a cheaper means of transport. One would be able to take me to the supermarket and carry the shopping back, cheaper and greener than taking the car.

 

[MattR]

I see them as just another mode of transport. My neighbour has one, he drives a car and is able to walk short distances, are you saying that only people will a disability should have one? I am considering getting one myself as the cost of diesel is so high, I see it as a cheaper means of transport. One would be able to take me to the supermarket and carry the shopping back, cheaper and greener than taking the car.

Many folk do see them as an alternative to cars. I understand, though, that they should only be used with disabilities. The increase in use is attributed to the increase in collisions, damage, injuries to non users.

Should they be restricted to those with disabilities? Should they be identifiable?

 

[DumfriesDik]

Should they be restricted to those with disabilities? Should they be identifiable?

When they introduced the rule for them to be registered, I thought it might be the groundwork to open them up to the masses. But that doesn't seemed to have happened.

As for identifiable, no not required for something that currently goes at 8mph. It would open the rules floodgate and you may regret it later.

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[Odd-no-more]

Mine is licensed with dvla and insured. It has two speeds, 8 mph for road and 4mph for pavement. i didn’t have to prove any disability. OH recently bought a mobility scooter with max speed 4 mph, no license required.
You may have to go through some process of proving disability if you want to reclaim VAT.
biggest issue we find is lack of dropped curbs or pavement suddenly disappearing and causing you to go in road. Many of our towns are not very disability friendly, yet there are more disabled people around who believe that they have as much right as anyone else to live their lives freely.

I agree about the lack of disability planning, I only noticed when FIL began using a wheelchair, often no drop kerb dustbins blocking the pavement etc. I can get a wheelchair down a kerb but I don't know if a mobilty scooter would cope.

 

[Odd-no-more]

person who, when driving or attempting to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place, is unfit to drive through drink or drugs is guilty of an offence.

I can drink 3 pints and be perfectly safe to drive, and a mobilty scooter user cannot be breath tested. So not unsafe to go home from the pub on a scooter

 

[dulvil]

Don't think so RTA 1988 as amended in 2011 S 4 (1)

(1)A person who, when driving or attempting to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place, is unfit to drive through drink or drugs is guilty of an offence.

mechanically propelled vehicle" is not defined in the Road Traffic Acts. It is ultimately a matter of fact and degree for the court to decide. At its most basic level it is a vehicle which can be propelled by mechanical means. It can include both electrically and steam powered vehicles.(CPS)

Mobility scooters not classified as motor vehicles

She found that, in law, a mobility scooter is an invalid carriage – and this excludes it from traditional drink driving rules. A related law states that an invalid carriage which meets the prescribed weight and speed limitation requirements, is not considered as a motor-vehicle under the RTA 1988, and that therefore s.1-4 does not apply. This means that the offence of drink-driving cannot apply, and that it is inappropriate for somebody on a mobility scooter to be stopped and breathalysed.

The case against her client was dropped, much to his delight, of course. Research suggests that such cases in the UK are incredibly rare – she was able to find only four. In two of them, the person pleaded guilty, and in the other two, the charges were withdrawn. In one of the “guilty” cases, the court imposed a driving ban – except for the mobility scooter, but it would appear that there was no proper lawful basis for this decision

 

[Plumb]

You could go on holiday on that

 

[Plumb]

Dropped curbs all over in Scarborough.
Unfortunately the footpaths are the problem.
Once you leave the town center the footpaths appear to have been laid by the Romans and haven't been maintained since they scurried back to Rome in the 4th century.

A good test on a mobility scooter in Scarborough is from St Mary’s church down paradise, Castlegate and East Sandgate to the sea front ! Wheeeeeee!

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[MattR]

I can drink 3 pints and be perfectly safe to drive, and a mobilty scooter user cannot be breath tested. So not unsafe to go home from the pub on a scooter

3 pints of beer or lager is over the alcohol limit; no matter what you think about your capacity to drive, you would not be legal or safe to drive after 3 pints (assuming they were drunk in a reasonably short time). 3 pints would require 7 hrs after the last drink to be safe.

 

[Odd-no-more]

3 pints of beer or lager is over the alcohol limit; no matter what you think about your capacity to drive, you would not be legal or safe to drive after 3 pints (assuming they were drunk in a reasonably short time). 3 pints would require 7 hrs after the last drink to be safe.

I have no intention of driving after drinking more than1 pint, my point is after 3 pints drunk over an evening in a pub I would be capable of driving and could pas a sobriety test, therefore it would be legal to use a mobilty scooter

 

[Minxy]

I can drink 3 pints and be perfectly safe to drive, and a mobilty scooter user cannot be breath tested. So not unsafe to go home from the pub on a scooter

It's thinking like that which causes accidents, no one is safe after 2 pints, never mind 3!

 

[Minxy]

I have no intention of driving after drinking more than1 pint, my point is after 3 pints drunk over an evening in a pub I would be capable of driving and could pas a sobriety test, therefore it would be legal to use a mobilty scooter

Capable and safe are not the same.

 

[Odd-no-more]

Capable and safe are not the same.

If I drink 3 pints over a period of time I know I could pass a test and be safe to drive. Back (a long way back) before the breathalyser I often did, I never had a problem and even in a police check I was fine. Because it is now illegal and I want to keep my license I don't do it. I have posted before on my views on the drink driving law and how flawed it is, so I won't do it again. I assure you after 3 pints I would be very safe driving a vehicle at 4 mph.

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[kevenh]

If I drink 3 pints over a period of time I know I could pass a test and be safe to drive. Back (a long way back) before the breathalyser I often did, I never had a problem and even in a police check I was fine. Because it is now illegal and I want to keep my license I don't do it. I have posted before on my views on the drink driving law and how flawed it is, so I won't do it again. I assure you after 3 pints I would be very safe driving a vehicle at 4 mph.

Regular 3pt or over drinkers do learn how to “safely” drive drunk but if something unexpected occurs on route, they’ll have an accident.
A more minor one if doing 4mph - unless it’s a conflict with faster objects.

 

[Plumb]

I have no intention of driving after drinking more than1 pint, my point is after 3 pints drunk over an evening in a pub I would be capable of driving and could pas a sobriety test, therefore it would be legal to use a mobilty scooter

Try spelling SOBRIETY after 3pints

 

[Just smiffy]

Many many years ago I got stopped for speeding going down crown hill in Alton by a policeman who said “ I was going too fast for a pedestrian controlled vehicle” and to slow down in the future….

I said I was only going so fast as I get friction burns on my hands if I try to brake….

Edit: I was in a push wheelchair

 

[Stoosal]

If I drink 3 pints over a period of time I know I could pass a test and be safe to drive. Back (a long way back) before the breathalyser I often did, I never had a problem and even in a police check I was fine. Because it is now illegal and I want to keep my license I don't do it. I have posted before on my views on the drink driving law and how flawed it is, so I won't do it again. I assure you after 3 pints I would be very safe driving a vehicle at 4 mph.

That is a very, very old fashioned view on drinking alcohol and using a vehicle on a road. It’s right up there with “I drive better after a few pints”.

 

[Odd-no-more]

That is a very, very old fashioned view on drinking alcohol and using a vehicle on a road. It’s right up there with “I drive better after a few pints”.

Actually not isn't but I would still be sober

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