[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by Tbugs

Have you run over a dog with your chair or scooter in a crowd?

No! Not having happened to me personally doesn't mean it can't or doesn't happen.

On that same matter (not the biting), it would be very easy to run a power chair into or over the feet of a child who was running around unsupervised. Can you imagine the reaction of the parent or grandparent to the scooter operator?

Having had 7 years of experience driving a mobility scooter I have to disagree with the idea that it would be very easy to run over a child's feet. I would however say that it's highly unlikely unless the operator is so self-centered and they don't care if anyone's in their way. Besides, the child is pretty much visible even if they are running by the back of my scooter. The movement can be detected by perferal vision. Besides, I don't back up that fast or that carelessly and a child doing this would be highly likely to be out of my path by the time I did back up!

Also, I could imagine the reaction of the parent or grandparent. In situations like that many people don't want to accept or admit their share of the responsibility for what happened and try to deflect all the blame on others when that opportunity avails itself!

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Skyguy, I do understand your concerns, I really do. But I just have to ask a question. You said that in backing up there is a blind spot behind a scooter and you could potentially hit a dog. Is there a potential for also hitting a small child?

Maybe an insignificant one because a child is not usually as short as a small dog and if they were they would be tottlers. I couldn't imagine a parent or guardian being irresponsible enough to allow a tottler to crawl around on the ground of a crowded area and not be holding them or having them in a carrier of some sort. But, it could happen even though it's much less likely than with a dog!


I can also say that when it's me backing up, I take it slow and as carefully as I'm able to do and would most likely not injure the child or pet behind me, but I can say that it would be that way for others! If you can't buy that idea, just look at how operators of cars,trucks and golf carts drive their vehicles; some drive forward and backup slowly and carefully, then there are those that go in either direction like a bat out of h***! I live on a cul de sac in TV and even there, I witnessed it happing from my den just about every day before I headed back north for the summer!

I'm assuming you have some kind of beeping back-up sound, and that people would make sure they give you a clear space to back up.

No! I've never seen a mobility scooter or wheel chair that is equipped with a backup warning beeper. Scooters do have a horn but I've found the sound they produce usually cannot be heard over existing sound levels by those that you are trying to get attention from; sometime it's even true when things are quiet. Frequently, others that are with those individuals that can see me usually grab them gently by the arm and prompt them to move out of the way. All this is not saying that backup warning beepers don't exist, but I've never seen or heard of one!

I also want to add here that people are pretty good in their consideration of someone in my situation. I can't even remember an instant where they were not, even with my forgetfulness!

Originally Posted by K9-Lovers

Why not invest in a rearview mirror for your motorized chair?

I have a mirror on one of my two scooters, but that mirror can see even less of the blind spot because either my arm and/or body blocks the view.

I think I've answered all your questions in red within the quotes because of multiple questions. But now that I have answered those questions, I must say that I find it interesting that no one answered any of mine! True I said you didn't have to, but I wonder why no one did. Anyway, don't bother to do so now.

Instead please answer these questions: Why is it so important that people bring their pets to the squares when it busy? Do they have to have the company or companionship of their presence 24/7 and if so why? Can't they enjoy the squares without them? Is having them there more important (or even anywhere close to it) than the safety of people in my situation and condition? I can't imagine it being so! And I don't want to hear about comparing the bring of children. I'm not talking about children; I'm talking about dogs! I also remind all that I'm NOT talking about times when the squares are quiet, but rather when the squares are BUSY!

If these questions can't be answered, then I'm afraid I'll have to rethink my opinion that pets should be allowed at the squares, at least during busy times, because it will then appear that people are espousing a position of entitlement by putting the pleasure of some over the safety of others!