Off Topic - mobility scooter safety concerns - NRAS

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Off Topic - mobility scooter safety concerns

Soreknees2016 profile image
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Hi all you mobility scooter users out there!

I have had a scooter for 3 years and only use it occasionally, normally when my PsA flares up. I have had to use it recently on account of having 3 broken toes (as a result of dropping a glass table on my foot!) and have suddenly become aware that the pavements around my way all slope ever so slightly towards the road.

The slope (or camber) is so slight that it’s barely noticeable when walking on it, or unless you’re actually looking for it. Indeed, I have lived here for over seven years and had never previously noticed it, despite the fact that with my dodgy knees and ankles, I am usually very aware of uneven surfaces

Now when I’m on my scooter, I keep having the sensation of leaning to one side, and am developing such a terror of tipping over that I’m almost frightened to use the scooter.

The only reason I can think of for suddenly being so aware of the sloping is that I have gained over two stone over the last few years, and am now the heaviest I have been in a long, long time, but my scooter has a weight limit significantly heavier than me!

I haven’t contacted the scooter manufacturer for advice or reassurance yet, and just wondered whether any members here have had a similar experience, as this surely can’t be a unique situation.

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Soreknees2016
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Scottishlad profile image
Scottishlad

You are probably quite sensitive to the slopes. Standard pavements have very gentle slopes well within the design limits of the scooter.

The manufacturer of the scooter should be able to give you reassurance. The scooter will be designed to cope with a certain slope which should be greater than the normal cross slope on pavements. The slope is required to ensure rainwater drains properly.

You do need to be careful of any areas where the slope is steeper such as at dropped kerbs and need to be careful to avoid these. The scooter will be safe going up and down slopes on normal pavements. If you are able to lean against the slope you should feel more secure, whatever you do don't let yourself lean towards the downslope.

Soreknees2016 profile image
Soreknees2016 in reply to Scottishlad

Thanks for this reassurance 😀. I haven’t had a chance yet to phone the manufacturer, but in the meantime I used my rollator to walk the route from my house to the health centre yesterday, which has been the biggest cause for concern for me. I was really quite shocked to realise the level of variation in the camber at different parts of the route, and there are several points where the slope is definitely steeper, with dropped kerbs at a 45 degree angle to the road rather than at 90 degrees. That one caught me unawares one day, and I ended up on the road as I couldn’t turn back quickly enough. I feel a protest to my local council coming on as that is only one of many hazards on that route, and I don’t think my blood pressure could cope with scootering there! 😱😜

Scottishlad profile image
Scottishlad in reply to Soreknees2016

I had thought of saying ou are probably safer keeping away from the kerb when ever possible, never mind "driving on the left" in my earlier post. Middle of the pavement is probably safest but be prepared to move over and stop if necessary. Keep your speed down so that you have time react to any problems.

This reminds me of an incident I saw in Tenerife, a lady using a mobility scooter had not noticed that the palm trees on the pavement were surrounded by sloped mosaics. She managed to put her scooter on it's side. She was not badly hurt but very shocked as she had no idea what had happened.

In the unlikely event of your scooter tipping I think you should grip the controls and avoid trying to break your fall by putting out your hands. Doing so risks serious injury to wrist or arm.

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