My DH was run over by an electric scooter!!!!

[KPeveler]

Ok, I did not mean to come across before as saying that it doesnt matter if someone cannot drive an ECV safely, if they need it to get around. I more meant that a test at the gate can be dangerous because it is difficult to tell where you draw the line. is it just people with disney ECVs, or outside ones? anything with wheels? i would worry about the confusion regarding this policy.

i wholehearted approve of people trying out ECVs in the parking lot at the hotel or something where you have more room to try it.

 

[daisax]

I agree that pedestrians hold a large share of the blame for some of the run ins, but if grandma has regular incidents that are a direct result of her (accidental) mismanagement of the ECV, she should NOT be using it, any more than driving a car. Unfortunate, but safety first. Accidents are one thing, lack of control entirely another thing.

 

[cmwade77]

I totally believe it! Most of the people careening around the parks on the ECV's are downright dangerous!! People need to get a clue. If someone runs me over in September (I'll be 6 months pregnant), my husband will probably kill them

All I haave to say is PAY ATTENTION to your surroundings, 98% of the time it is the fault of the person walking.

Of courrse there are those in wheelchairs and ECVs that don't pay attention, but they are few and far between

 

[sunee]

We just returned from WDW on Saturday. Well anyway, we were walking down Main Street USA in our daze from being in The Magical Place on Earth and out of know where comes an ECV that literally ran him over. The back of his tennis shoes were caught in the front of the scooter. All I heard was someone yelling "Stop" and by the time I knew what was going on, Bam he was hit!!! Thank god I grabbed our DD's stroller and moved it or she would have been hit ( I don't know what it would of done if it ran over the umbrella stroller which was just one of those cheap ones from Wally World). The lady that was driving the scooter had NO IDEA how to operate it. I guess Disney needs to make sure that people know how to operate them before they let them loose in a crowd. What if the lady on the scooter was to hit a toddler walking that isn't very steady on their feet? My DH had to literally pull the scooter up from the front just to get his shoes out from being stuck. I mean, don't get me wrong, after all was said and done we laughed about the situation (alot) but I do think the situation could of turned out to be a bad one.

As we continued to walk to Main Street, My DH said "hey you need to go home and tell everyone on the Disney Board what happened to me, they'll think you're Crazy!!" I just thought it was funny he mentioned posting about it on here because he thinks I'm addicted to this board!!! He's always teasing me!!!

I totally believe it! Most of the people careening around the parks on the ECV's are downright dangerous!! People need to get a clue. If someone runs me over in September (I'll be 6 months pregnant), my husband will probably kill them

I can't quote all the comments.

Have you people ever used one of the WDW ECVs???? They aren't easy to control. They are either not moving or BAM they jerk forward. There isn't much in between on many of them.

It isn't the people driving them - it is the ECV.

So, before you start calling people who can't walk around "dangerous" and "cluless" and all the other mean-spirited, malicious, rude names...you might want to try it out for yourself.

Or you might be happier making fun of people who can't walk around. Whatever floats your boat.

I does suck getting hit, but it doesn't mean the person in the ECV is a moron.

 

[sunee]

We just got back with my mother driving a scooter (74, unsteady walking). I was AMAZED at the people walking into her; stepping in front or someone pushing a stroller blindly into her path; and pedestrians that SEE her and try to beat her out stepping very, very close; and people standing and then backing up and not looking what is behind them.

To the gentleman that backed up as we were trying to pass behind him and who got his heel run over--sorry but look where you're going next time.

A previous poster is correct, too often the collision is caused by the pedestrian not looking and then they are mad at the scooter driver.

Mom quickly found out that if she waited for people to see her and let her by, she'd still be sitting in the park in that scooter! You have to try to make your way, hope people will see you and when they don't stop quick and then let the people behind you run into you.

ITS NOT EASY FOLKS!

The occasion where walking folks will let the chair through is the rare one. Some will try to beat the chair, but most are just busy going about their lives and don't notice it.

I go out in front of the chair and do a little traffic direction. Takes 2 seconds and most people are happy to stop for a sec when they see what is going on. If I didn't , we could sit for an hour trying to turn into Mickey's Philharmagic or whatever.

 

[northie]

I wasn't trying to start a flamefest because of my post, I was wanting to tell people to watch out!!

This is a hot topic. It always starts a flame fest. Just do a search on the board for ECV or scooter and read some of the previous threads. Bottom line, both pedestrians and riders need to watch where they are going. Most of the people who use them need them. Most of the people who use them are courteous and never hit anyone, even when someone steps right in front of them...and usually they never even realize they did it, because they didn't get hit. Yes, there are exceptions to the rule. Most of the people that are walking through Disney World are polite, don't stop dead in front of you to take a photo, and don't step in front of an ECV or stroller because they occasionally look down at where they are walking. There's exceptions on both sides who give everyone else a bad name.

Yes, some people on ECVs are careless (or inexperienced), and some stroller pushers are careless too. Plain old footwalkers can be careless as well. I've tripped over curbs and once on an ECV because I was gawking at the castle. And yes, I apologized to the lady for plowing into her.

Sara

 

[NanaDarling]

This thread has been an education to me. . .thank you to the ECV users who have shared their experiences. Next time I am in WDW (or other place with crowds) I will do my best to be especially courteous to folks in WCs or ECVs. I have never used a WC or ECV, but I would imagine that, standing at 5' 9" tall, it is easier for me to see them than it is for them to see me. I am also certain that I can count on my body to move the way I tell it. . .it sounds like the ECV driver cannot always count on the vehicle to respond as expected or directed. It is unfortunate that accidents do happen, but I have a better understanding about why some of them happen.

 

[LISAMWDW]

Terrible to hear what happened! I think people get so excited by the Disney magic, people just do not think!

I've seen grown men cut in front of kids in the lines! Seriously, some people need to chill! and think about what they are doing! The park is for all to enjoy!

 

[sunee]

Terrible to hear what happened! I think people get so excited by the Disney magic, people just do not think!

I've seen grown men cut in front of kids in the lines! Seriously, some people need to chill! and think about what they are doing! The park is for all to enjoy!

Especially those who, without thinking, jump to illogical conclusions and give advice based on them.

 

[hightown]

As an additional note....Mom was a very good driver and DID have the scooter on TURTLE speed almost always. It's not the first time we've done a scooter for her on a trip. Going slow and her GOOD driving didn't help a bit for those that were oblivious to anyone around, making their own sudden turns,stepping in front of her suddenly and way to close or someone walking backwards into her!

Like I said the only collisions was the guy stepping backwards when she was behind him. Just about sat in her lap and then looked at her like she's the one at fault.

 

[kimbac3]

I use a wheelchair. DH pushes me around the parks. I'm very nervous about the ECV's so I won't use one. I did have someone slam into my chair with an ECV. She thought it was funny and I thought it hurt

That said many people really don't "see" wheelchair users! Alot of times they are looking beyond their immediate area..this causes them to not walk in a straight line and they wander right into me. I've had people try to step over my legs and neither I nor my DH allow this. We always stop them and say something.

It does really stink to be stuck in the wheelchair, but it keeps me from being in more pain and therefore much nicer to be around.

Kimba

 

[daisax]

It does suck getting hit, but it doesn't mean the person in the ECV is a moron.

Anybody can have near misses with careless pedestrians or the occasional accident, when both ECV and pedestrian make simultaneous bad moves -- after all, people bump into each other on two feet all the time.

However, if somebody is having multiple incidents each day, they evidently are not up to the difficulties of the machine they're operating. Maybe Disney/Rental Company needs to come up with more responsive and safe ECVs, but the solution is not just to continue about your business, shrugging off the danger to others of your inability to operate it safely.

 

[heatherg]

We were at WDW in May with my SIL who has cancer and couldn't feasibly walk for 10 days. Looking at her, you wouldn't guess she's going through agressive chemo. . . she still looks really good. But 2 hours at EMH at Magic Kingdom without a chair of any sort totally wore her out! So, just an fyi, looks can definitely be deceiving.

As we had 4 kids in our group of 8, we talked to the kids from the first day about watching for not only my SIL's ECV (or wheelchair . . .depending on where we went as to which she used), but also other people in ECV and wheelchairs. We told them not to walk right up next to one, or cross in front of one that was moving. For the most part, they were good about doing so. However, some other park patron got a good laugh out of my statement to one dd when I told her "If Aunt X runs over you, she does not have to apologize!"

One day she had a ECV that had a mind of it's own. She'd be at a complete, resting stop and it would suddenly start forward. The thing wouldn't stop until probably a good 10 seconds after she applied the brakes. That one had a bit more of an adjustment curve to it. She was fairly successful at not hitting anyone, as long as they didn't walk right up on the side of her ECV or cut her off.

Her biggest issue was with the ECV was actually getting run into by kids playing with those big huge balls at kiosks throughout the park. One particular group of boys that were in the early teen range paid absolutely no attention to anyone and ran right into her ECV. Tehehe . . .I think he was a bit dazed after the hit.

 

[CindyBella]

AHH! Last summer when exiting philharmagic, I got run over and parked on!! I mean, this "lady" on a scooter was trying to merge into a very busy crowd and came to a stop right on my foot!! She acted as though it was some how my fault that my foot went under her wheel. She was very rude about it, no apology or anything. Then I see her walking in to Tinkerbell's Treasures. Look I realize she may have had "bad knees" or other ailments but to not even apologize after hurting someone made me sick.....and I admit it, it made it worse to see this woman walking normally in the store. If it makes me a bad person I really don't care but I would have prefered to be injured by someone that was not possibly using a scooter because they just did not feel like walking.

 

[waltfan1957]

now i am working on getting a manual chair and right now my bf pushes me in one, but even so, it is difficult to stop short!

and oh lord, i get so sick of looking at people's behinds!

a wc is not a cool new toy (ok, it can be but that is not its purpose). it really annoys me when people lean on my chair or try to squish by me or ask me to move sideways (wheelchair, not crab, people. they do not "sidestep"). at the mall the other day a kid grabbed the handle of my wheelchair and pulled, like she was messing with the benches and plants there too. i felt like growling at her, or putting a bumper sticker on my chair that reads "beware of wheeler - she bites."

just a note of consideration, if you see someone in a chair or ECV, do not touch it... it is not there for you to lean on or put your coats on, or sit on, or climb over. a chair is an extension of my body. no touchy!

Totally agree with this last xmas while on the train station at MK waiting for the parade some woman was leaning on the back of my wife's power chair actually rocking it on the suspension and like it was my fault when I asked her to stop, people in w/c - p/c - ecv's have to put a with a lot that walking in a daze people don't see, she's had people stand on her chair while leaning on the seat would they like it if I went and stood on thier car to get a better view

 

[KPeveler]

AHH! Last summer when exiting philharmagic, I got run over and parked on!! I mean, this "lady" on a scooter was trying to merge into a very busy crowd and came to a stop right on my foot!! She acted as though it was some how my fault that my foot went under her wheel. She was very rude about it, no apology or anything. Then I see her walking in to Tinkerbell's Treasures. Look I realize she may have had "bad knees" or other ailments but to not even apologize after hurting someone made me sick.....and I admit it, it made it worse to see this woman walking normally in the store. If it makes me a bad person I really don't care but I would have prefered to be injured by someone that was not possibly using a scooter because they just did not feel like walking.

*raises hand* That is what I am going to be doing! Tinkerbell's treasure is a very crowded store, so i would park my ECV and walk in the store. Unless I have a small manual chair, I will be walking in stores sometimes!

however, i would NOT park it on your foot...

 

[COmomof2]

My niece survived a very near miss last September outside the World of Disney store at DTD. Our group of 13 was outside the store (a good 10 yards from the doors) getting ready to head back to the boat dock, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw an ECV heading toward us. The woman was clearly out of control due to the nearly TEN shopping bags she had draped all over herself and the scooter. I mean, she had bags in her basket, on her lap, on the "floorboard" and even hanging from the handles of her ECV!!! Obviously, her family was using her for a shopping cart.

She was screaming, and heading for us, so I grabbed my niece out of the stroller as she was running it over. Thank God none of the kids were actually standing there....they would have been easily hurt very badly. She knocked the bag of souvenirs out of my nephews hand, and ended up on top of the bag with newly purchased DVD's. Disney was reluctant, but they did replace the DVD's for us. The woman never even offered an apology....she just turned and "scooted" off.

I'm not here to debate a persons need for an ECV, but come on, a little common sense would be nice. Having your ankles run into by an overzealous stroller mom is nothing compared to being run over by a piece of machinery that has got to weigh several hundred pounds.

I know there are far more responsible drivers out there than not. We saw plenty of ECV's on our last trip, and 99% of the drivers were great. It's the 1 percent that you have to worry about.

 

[HarbinsMom]

The flip side of this is the pedestrians wh don't pay attention.

About a year ago I was exiting the MK and driving down Main Street, staying behind a group of people. The suddenly stopped and started talking to each other. I did stop without hitting them and politely asked if they would let me pass. They then separated to let me through, but did not pay attention to what they were doing and one woman stood in such a way that one of my rear tires ran over her foot. This was after I had been at a full stop but she did not even look to where she was stepping. I hope she did not have any serious injuries, but I kept going.

I used a scooter on our trip 2 weeks ago, due to recovering from knee surgery and rheumatoid arthritis and you are so correct. I can't tell you how many people just STOP right in front of you and those things don't stop on a dime. I never hit anyone, but came dangerously close. And I wasn't driving too fast, either. What irritates me to NO end, is people stopping in the middle of traffic to look at a map or talk to someone and the next thing you know, you're on top of them....UGH.

 

[Talking Hands]

just a note of consideration, if you see someone in a chair or ECV, do not touch it... it is not there for you to lean on or put your coats on, or sit on, or climb over. a chair is an extension of my body. no touchy!

Amen to that! Consider that as a pedestrian you want your personal space. Well in the case of a person in a W/C or ECV or PWC, personal space starts where the chair ends not our body. Be respectful of our personal space, please.

 

[Talking Hands]

AHH! Last summer when exiting philharmagic, I got run over and parked on!! I mean, this "lady" on a scooter was trying to merge into a very busy crowd and came to a stop right on my foot!! She acted as though it was some how my fault that my foot went under her wheel. She was very rude about it, no apology or anything. Then I see her walking in to Tinkerbell's Treasures. Look I realize she may have had "bad knees" or other ailments but to not even apologize after hurting someone made me sick.....and I admit it, it made it worse to see this woman walking normally in the store. If it makes me a bad person I really don't care but I would have prefered to be injured by someone that was not possibly using a scooter because they just did not feel like walking.

Many people who will get up and walk in a store. ECVs are very hard to manuever in store aisles. I will even have my husband wait in my PWC while I go into a store to shop and will look like I am fine but I'm still in pain. But I'd rather that than taking out the whole store trying to move around in the PWC (and my chair is a small one)