Scooter accident

[bethymouse]

People walk in front of other people all the time, that's what happens in a crowded park. If your mom doesn't have the reflexes to stop when it happens maybe its time for her to be pushed in a wheel chair. Do you think it is safe for your mom to drive a car on the highway? If you would have reservations about that then do everyone at the parks a favor and don't let her drive a scooter but push her in a wheel chair - when we have taken my wife's mom that's what we do because we know she would be running over people if we let her drive one.

How can you stop a scooter when someone is walking in front of you? You can stop it, but you're still going to hit them, or come close to it! She does have the "reflexes " to stop, and she is still able to drive a car! Actually, they do it on purpose because my Mom is driving slowly ( and carefully I might add), too slow for some people! Sure, I could push her around in a wheelchair, but people will still walk in front of me!

 

[BrianV]

How can you stop a scooter when someone is walking in front of you? You can stop it, but you're still going to hit them, or come close to it! She does have the "reflexes " to stop, and she is still able to drive a car! Actually, they do it on purpose because my Mom is driving slowly ( and carefully I might add), too slow for some people! Sure, I could push her around in a wheelchair, but people will still walk in front of me!

You and she are doing the best you can. As with most things it is probably 1% who make a bad name for the other 99%. The huge crowds at wdw simply amplify the issues with scooters and pedestrians, rude or otherwise.

Aside from Disney world (and universal) I can literally go months never seeing an electric scooter. The grocery store by me has two but they are never used. I think many pedestrians aren't used to them and how they work, stop, etc.

 

[bethymouse]

Wow, some of the comments on here are just downright mean!

 

[GrammieBee]

OK, here we go again. To begin, I am an ECV user and will always come to the defense of those of us who need and responsibly use a scooter .I am in my eighties and because of various physical complications am unable to walk more than a few yards without being in extreme pain.. I am definitely not as thin and fit as I was in my younger years, but I am certainly not sloppy fat, either.(Think pleasantly plump.) While I like being able to sit down and enjoy the parks pain free rather than trying to struggle to walk, I would certainly prefer to, once again, be able to hike and walk around a Disney park for the whole day. To those of you that can do this-----be very, very thankful.

In crowded conditions I have to spend most of my time looking at people's legs and feet trying to figure out what they are going to do so I won't run into them. If they stop or walk abreast I have to stop and wait until I can get by. I spend a lot of time waiting.
As has been said, I am below their eye level and they are too busy looking around, peering at their cell phone or talking to someone to take any notice of me. Sometimes, even if I am stopped, they will walk or back right into me and act like it was my fault for being there. I will say most people are more polite than that.

The maximum speed on just about every brand of scooter is about 5mph. Very seldom is there an opportunity to go that fast. None of them can go 15mph. The Disney park rentals are set at an even slower speed. Driving one of them is like riding an old tired plough horse.

The vary nature of the speed controls on a scooter sometimes make it very difficult to suddenly stop. In addition to the speed settings on a scooter, the driver can control the speed by how hard they are squeezing the speed lever. Unlike a bicycle where you squeeze a break lever to stop, in a scooter, if you have been squeezing the lever for a slow speed and you squeeze the lever more tightly, you will, instead, go faster. The scenario below applies even if the speed control is set on low and the driver is fully squeezing the control lever. Also, remember that a scooter has no brakes and there is a lagtime between when a person stops squeezing and the scooter stops.

If a human being is startled or if they perceive being in danger, the automatic reflix of the body is to make a fist--i.e.-squeeze. So there they are, squeezing the controls and not stopping or are even going faster. Once I was next in line at a sales counter and was slowly inching my way to the counter whan someone or something banged on the back of my scooter. Talk about being startled; I darn near took out the sales counter before I could stop. I'm sure everyone around thought I was a crazy old lady who shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a scooter.

I have never run into anyone by accident, and certainly not on purpose. I have, however, twice run over a foot in approximately ten years of needing a scooter. Both times were in extremely crowded conditions where the person was walking near the front of my scooter, was almost certainly unaware I was next to them, started to cut in front of me and put their foot right in front of the scooter's front wheel. One was a young teen who's parents told him he should have watched where he was putting his feet. The other was a young lady in sandals (ouch) who I had tried to warn that she was getting too close. When a foot is put directly in front of the front wheel or when someone suddenly darts in front of you, there is nothing you can do to stop the scooter in time.

So there you have it. There are good scooter drivers, rude scooter drivers, inexperienced scooter drivers and bad scooter drivers (just like automobile drivers), but I guarantee most scooter drivers try to be very careful of other people and certainly wish that they did not have to be in that scooter It is much more enjoyable and much less complicated to be able to walk around on your own two feet.

EDIT A few comments were added.

 

[bethymouse]

@GrammieBee Oh... I love your comments. God bless you! Especially the comment about wanting to walk, and wishing you could! You're so sweet.

 

[Bibbity Bobbity Boo]

@GrammieBee first thing you continue to use a scooter and enjoy Disney every time you go. Things happen all the time at the Disney Parks and I actually in those crowds leaving Wishes had my foot step on, the back of my ankle walked up where my ankle twisted from it. Things happen at the parks and in crowed places especially. That is why a place like WDW is equipped with First Aid care stations. I do feel for the original posters daughter who go her foot run over by the scooter, but by no means do I feel it was intentional at all.Like I said accidents like these most likely happen at the parks every day. So to you again keep going and enjoying the magic you so rightly deserve.

 

[21stamps]

@GrammieBee first thing you continue to use a scooter and enjoy Disney every time you go. Things happen all the time at the Disney Parks and I actually in those crowds leaving Wishes had my foot step on, the back of my ankle walked up where my ankle twisted from it. Things happen at the parks and in crowed places especially. That is why a place like WDW is equipped with First Aid care stations. I do feel for the original posters daughter who go her foot run over by the scooter, but by no means do I feel it was intentional at all.Like I said accidents like these most likely happen at the parks every day. So to you again keep going and enjoying the magic you so rightly deserve.

We were at a theme park Wednesday. It was relatively crowded. Walking along in a line of traffic and the people directly in front of us just stopped. I almost fell just trying to twist from hitting the woman in front of me. She probably would have fallen if I wouldn't have seen her stop and ran into her.
Crowds are annoying, but like you said, accidents happen all of the time at theme parks.

 

[Bibbity Bobbity Boo]

We were at a theme park Wednesday. It was relatively crowded. Walking along in a line of traffic and the people directly in front of us just stopped. I almost fell just trying to twist from hitting the woman in front of me. She probably would have fallen if I wouldn't have seen her stop and ran into her.
Crowds are annoying, but like you said, accidents happen all of the time at theme parks.

That's what happens people make abrupt stops all the time even when there aren't that bad of crowds and it makes it difficult to walk. When it is crowded it is nearly impossible.

 

[21stamps]

That's what happens people make abrupt stops all the time even when there aren't that bad of crowds and it makes it difficult to walk. When it is crowded it is nearly impossible.

It's my biggest pet peeve! Move over to the side and then stop. Not while in a fast moving line of people.
My 6 year old has been knocked down before when he has stopped. When it happens I explain to him that he needs to understand that other people are around, and you can't just abruptly stop. So we move out of said line of traffic and then he can tell me that he wants to go back to "whatever area" and we'll switch directions.lol.

 

[Bibbity Bobbity Boo]

It's my biggest pet peeve! Move over to the side and then stop. Not while in a fast moving line of people.
My 6 year old has been knocked down before when he has stopped. When it happens I explain to him that he needs to understand that other people are around, and you can't just abruptly stop. So we move out of said line of traffic and then he can tell me that he wants to go back to "whatever area" and we'll switch directions.lol.

I wish more people would use that tactic.

 

[21stamps]

I wish more people would use that tactic.

That would be expecting everyone to have common sense.

That's just too much to ask for...

 

[networkpro]

My wife needs an ECV due to medical issues a times so I get her one. I do observe people at all time of the day and every park who just get dumbfounded inside their own little bubble and don't realize that its still a public space. More like cattle than anything else... plod along until they stop, see something interesting and wander over there kind of following the herd but not quite. They get excited and they'll bolt in any direction at any time.

I'm sorry people get hurt, especially children who are not being closely supervised... its not their fault. You can suspend disbelief for a while, but you can't forget that its an open air public venue populated with people with their own agendas which may conflict with yours.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

OK, here we go again. To begin, I am in my eighties and because of various physical complications am unable to walk more than a few yards without being in extreme pain.. I am definitely not as thin and fit as I was in my younger years, but I am certainly not sloppy fat, either. I would like to, once again, be able to hike and walk around a Disney park for the whole day. To those of you that can do this-----be very, very thankful.

In crowded conditions I have to spend most of my time looking at people's legs and feet trying to figure out what they are going to do so I won't run into them. If they stop or walk abreast I have to stop and wait until I can get by. I spend a lot of time waiting.
As has been said, I am below their eye level and they are too busy looking around, peering at their cell phone or talking to someone to take any notice of me.

The maximum speed on just about every brand of scooter is 5mph. None of them can go 15mph. The Disney park rentals are set at an even slower speed. Driving one of them is like riding an old tired plough horse.

The vary nature of the speed controls on a scooter sometimes make it very difficult to suddenly stop. In addition to the speed settings on a scooter, the driver can control the speed by how hard they are squeezing the speed lever. Unlike a bicycle where you squeeze a break lever to stop, in a scooter, if you have been lightly squeezing the lever for a slow speed and you squeeze the lever more tightly, you will go faster. The same scenario below applies even if the speed control is set on low and they are fully squeezing the control lever.

If a human being is startled or if they perceive being in danger, the automatic reflix of the body is to make a fist--i.e.=squeeze. So there they are, squeezing the controls and not stopping or are even going faster. Once I was next in line at a sales counter and was slowly inching my way to the counter whan someone or something banged on the back of my scooter. Talk about being startled; I darn near took out the sales counter before I could stop. I'm sure everyone around thought I was a crazy old lady who shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a scooter.

I have never run into anyone by accident, and certainly not on purpose. I have, however, twice run over a foot in approximately ten years of needing a scooter. Both times were in very crowded conditions where the person was walking near the front of my scooter, were almost certainly unaware I was next to them, started to cut in front of me and put their foot right in front of the scooter's front wheel. One was a young teen who's parents told him to watch where he was putting his feet and the other was a young lady in sandals (ouch) who I had tried to warn that she was getting too close. When a foot is put directly in front of the front wheel, there is nothing I can do to stop the scooter in time.

So there you have it. There are good scooter drivers, rude scooter drivers and bad scooter drivers (just like automobile drivers), but I guarantee most scooter drivers try to be very careful of other people and certainly wish that they did not have to be in that scooter. It is much more enjoyable and much less complicated to be able to walk around on your own two feet.

More power to you...a little about myself...I'm a 51 y.o. male, 6'3" and 160 lbs..not your "typical" ECV user. I have Multiple sclerosis and YES I can walk SHORT distances (100 to 200', and with a cane). After that, my leg gives out, my foot starts dragging, and I look like Frankenstein, minus the green skin.

5 years ago, we took my now 85 y.o. father in a scooter, and I was able to walk 17 miles in one day...my how things have changed!

Now a few things...Having been on "both sides of the scooter", there are bad drivers, people who live life 24/7 feeling entitled to everything...right of way, special treatment, etc...perhaps they are more in a self pity mode that since their particular disability hit them, that's their punishment, and they are now entitled to EVERYTHING...maybe not in all cases, but some, it probably is true.

I have also seen walkers, in the MIDDLE of Main Street decide at the spur of the moment to STOP, and read the names on the windows...There are instances of stupidity on BOTH sides... For those families who may be traveling with someone who has never used an ECV, Maybe YOU should take the bull by the horns and take 10 or 15 minutes at your resort or before you enter to make sure the driver KNOWS how to operate the ECV properly. I know that means you may need to stand in line just a bit longer, but its for the best, FOR EVERYONE.

If you saw me park my scooter at the entrance of a ride, get up and walk to the ride with my cane, you'd probably think I was milking the system...In all honesty, you don't know how guilty I sometimes feel, needing the ECV, or making able bodied people wait just a few minutes longer, while I drive onto the bus. I even refuse to get off the ECV in the bus, have the driver belt me in so there's ONE extra seat...ANYONE who would like to trade places with me, probably NOT going to be able to walk my daughters down the aisle...having to take 3 injections a week costing $7700.00/month (thank God for insurance, even if they only cover about 2/3's), just let me know...we'll talk.

For the person who would take my keys and throw them in the nearest body of water, I have 2 words for you...TRY IT...I live in NJ, and I promise you, if you did that to me, I'd stand up, introduce myself, and not only would you get my keys back, but you'd be helping Disney by checking the alligator population in the park, while keeping all the guests safe.

Blame can be assessed on both sides...I'm a firm believer in someday having to answer for one's deeds, good OR bad...it may not be today, tomorrow, next week, or in 10 years, but it will happen...just get up 10 minutes eariler, watch WHAT and WHERE you're going, get your nose out of your phone, take a second to THINK before you make your next move and RELAX...the SDMT will STILL be there when you arrive...if you arrive a few minutes after your fast pass expires, I've NEVER seen a CM prevent someone from entering the ride a tad late...and just like you don't stop in the middle of Rt. 4 to check out the new coaster at Sea World while you're on your way to WDW, PLEASE don't just STOP in the middle of Main Street so you can read the menu at Casey's.

LIFE IS TOO SHORT...let's ALL think a little more, and B***H a little less.

 

[mergatroid]

Okay so if I'm in the way of someone, and they cant get around me for whatever reason, and I dont move after they alert me of their presence, it's somehow their fault? Okay then.

If somebody doesn't move you have a decision to make, do I continue going and hit them or not? So yes if you hit them then it's your fault regardless of whether them not moving was wrong or right in your opinion. If you were parked behind a car at red lights that turned green and that car didn't move what would you do? If you beeped to alert him and he didn't move would you drive into the back of him and then say it was his fault?

Should I also stand there and not allow them to pass?

No you shouldn't, that would be wrong. However in the story we don't hear that this scooter driver was continually shouting "Get out of my way" and being ignored. It sounds like the driver decided to just tell people to move and hope they did, not caring that the person they gave a warning to may be deaf or have a condition that means they can't move out of the way quickly enough. When you drive a vehicle of any sort you can't make assumptions and continue on regardless, you are responsible for your actions.

 

[ninjaprincesst]

I have been on both sides here. One time at rope drop at KS at Animal Kingdom this woman was so scared that we might get in front of her in line she ran over my foot, that already had a broken toe) broke my actual foot in two places and destroyed a brand new sandal. She never even apologized. But then on the other side my dad has been forced to use a scooter since he has had 2 major back surgery and had his leg amputated below the knee (so the scooter is about the only option) You would be shocked at the number of people who either dart right out in front of him themselves or let the children run out in front of him. I know the governor thing sounds like a good idea to those who don't have to use them, but they have to go fast enough to keep up with the rest of your group that's walking or they are pretty useless. my dad is by no means a speed demon (believe me the rest of us are constantly having to circle back to him) but people just do not pay attention especially to their little ones. my dad is always so terrified he is going to not be able o stop when one of them darts in front of him and it could seriously hurt a little one. I think it's a two way street , the rest of use need to be more courteous and pay more attention to scooters and some of the scooter drivers need to be more mindful of us.

 

[bethymouse]

When I first read this title of the thread, I thought it would be about someone falling off a scooter or something. It's terrible going around some of the corners in the queues!The Haunted mansion made us take the scooter into the stretching room! That made no sense because you couldn't see, and we're all in there like a herd of cattle! My Dad fell once going around the Pooh queue in his scooter-scary! Animal Kingdom at night... beware scooter users.... it is very dark!

 

[morningstar]

To you scooter drivers who are defending your accidents, nobody is trying to say you shouldn't drive a scooter, but, defensive driving. If someone stops dead unexpectedly on Main Street, yeah that's annoying even when I'm a pedestrian, but you should be able to avoid hitting them if you were keeping a safe following distance. If you see people are too close and may step in front of you, then slow down until they move away. I understand in moving crowds this might not be possible because the crowd is going to flow around you and merge in right in front of you again. In that case you might just have to go at a snail's pace to be safe. Maybe Disney should rope off a scooter lane at high traffic areas / times. Of course people would probably then complain about more entitlements for scooter users.

 

[oceanbreeze77]

I have a question. Im not really brushed up on this...

What exactly is the problem with people having to medically prove they need the scooter? Return times are one thing but renting an item that is meant for people who are ACTUALLY physically impaired is another. I mean most of these people who need the scooters should have a handicap placard or at least some sort of medical documentation in their possession. Most places require documentation of disabilities So why is it such a controversy at disney?

Im not asking to be mean or harsh Im genuinely curious. And I work in a hospital and I know many people truly do have medical issues but I also know that many do not and take advantage.

 

[BrianV]

I have a question. Im not really brushed up on this...

What exactly is the problem with people having to medically prove they need the scooter? Return times are one thing but renting an item that is meant for people who are ACTUALLY physically impaired is another. I mean most of these people who need the scooters should have a handicap placard or at least some sort of medical documentation in their possession. Most places require documentation of disabilities So why is it such a controversy at disney?

Im not asking to be mean or harsh Im genuinely curious. And I work in a hospital and I know many people truly do have medical issues but I also know that many do not and take advantage.

Believe but could be wrong that it is against the law to ask. Maybe HIPA (sp?) Or something.

 

[oceanbreeze77]

Believe but could be wrong that it is against the law to ask. Maybe HIPA (sp?) Or something.

I don't think its HIPAA.