Now I've Seen it all!

[nytimez]

Assuming that just becuase a child is using an ECV they must be a safe and compotent driver does not hold water with me becuase I have seen children with a need for one who are just not capable of operating it.

Maybe I'm just an optimist by nature, but I always try to assume the best until proven otherwise.

 

[KellyNY]

I personally believethatmajority accident with ECV in parks, when ECV driver is actually the guity part, happens with unexperinced drivers. Those who drive ECV every day know how to operate it and this includes kids as well. ECV is not a car, it is extention of persons body and driving it becomes as natural as walking.

 

[lugnut33]

Maybe I'm just an optimist by nature, but I always try to assume the best until proven otherwise.

And maybe Princessmom is just being overly safe? It's OK for people to have differing opinions.

I'll admit, if I saw a couple of really young kids driving ECVs I'd probably think "cool". And then if anything bad happened I'd say, "Oh, they probably shouldn't have been doing that".

 

[princessmom29]

And maybe Princessmom is just being overly safe? It's OK for people to have differing opinions.

I'll admit, if I saw a couple of really young kids driving ECVs I'd probably think "cool". And then if anything bad happened I'd say, "Oh, they probably shouldn't have been doing that".

That is exactly what I am saying. Writing off a child on an ECV as "knows what they are donig" and not being mindful of where they are and what they are doing can lead to serious accidents. We had a child at school's leg broken.

 

[KellyNY]

That is exactly what I am saying. Writing off a child on an ECV as "knows what they are donig" and not being mindful of where they are and what they are doing can lead to serious accidents. We had a child at school's leg broken.

I think the point is whenever you see ECV, you can have a thought that maybe person is not very experienced BUT child in ECV is not more dangerous then adult in ECV.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Did the children look like this?

 

[bumbershoot]

Why do people always feel the need to validate someone else's use of equipment? ... Why question how come someone else was using one?

No one was questioning the need. In fact the OP addressed that in her first post, that she wasn't questioning it.

No disrespect intended!! I am just anticipating other people misinterpreting your post as a dis on kids with disabilities. Words get twisted faster in this forum than I can keep up with!

With that in mind, it's probably best to NOT bring up the idea of flaming, I would think.

That's not actually the only thing you said. Here's the potential can of worms you may have opened, intentionally or not:

They are the same thing. She said that she wondered how kids of that age could operate them safely...

Originally Posted by Scrappy_Tink
Hey, the only thing I said was that I was surprised by their ages....nothing to do with needs. I guess special needs children mature quicker, because my boys at that age would have been weaving in and out of crowds chasing each other with light sabers!

=

Originally Posted by Scrappy_Tink
how can children that young be responsible enough to drive in crowds?

Maybe I'm just an optimist by nature, but I always try to assume the best until proven otherwise.

The person you're quoting has seen "otherwise".

I think the point is whenever you see ECV, you can have a thought that maybe person is not very experienced BUT child in ECV is not more dangerous then adult in ECV.

I have been with a person being a terror on an ECV (not my friend, just an acquaintance, and nothing could be done to stop the person due to personality), and that person was outright dangerous. Not just actions but if the person had crashed, the impact would have been tremendous.

A child on a small ECV isn't going to cause as big of an impact.

But I WOULD bet that the child is in greater danger while going quickly, being without their parents, etc. Because ECVs ridden by adults are invisible enough (which I saw while with a friend who drives responsibly), let alone a smaller person on a smaller vehicle. They will be double-invisible, and without adults around to watch out for them, they could be seriously injured if some adult steps out in front so they can't stop, etc etc (and the mind boggles if there were someone like the acquaintance I mentioned previously in accident distance of the smaller ECVs).

If my son were in an ECV, I would want to be near, and I would limit his speed (just as I do while he walks around anywhere but a park with free and clear pathways and lawns), to protect him and others from harm.


So while I would probably pass "surprise" at seeing a kid-run ECV, and go straight to "how awesome is that", I would also look quickly for the adults, because my mind goes to "where's the danger" immediately. (which makes it extra annoying that my son has been harmed while simply walking, and another time while trying on mittens at the store...didn't see danger in those things, ugh! but now I do!)

 

[cm8]

Ok, I'm at DHS today, and what zips by me? Two children, estimated ages 5-6 on mini-ECVs!! ok, I can understand some children needing them, and I'm not saying they didn't....but how can children that young be responsible enough to drive in crowds? Anyway, just thought I'd share, I was really surprised!

I hope they received all the training they may have needed before using them. Here everyone gets trained for all DME equipment before being allowed to operate them alone. I think the are responsible enough to drive in the crowds, based on the fact that they didn't run you over when the zipped by, J/K,

 

[princessmom29]

I think the point is whenever you see ECV, you can have a thought that maybe person is not very experienced BUT child in ECV is not more dangerous then adult in ECV.

No one is not inherently more dangerous than the other, but some previous post basically said that any child in an ECV would need it and therefore be a capable driver. I am justsaying that this MAY not be the case and one should use the same caution and awareness around a child in a ECV as an adut in a ECV.

 

[nytimez]

The person you're quoting has seen "otherwise".

I have no idea how that invalidates my point of view.

People could post that they've seen "otherwise" all day. It's not going to change how I view the world. I'm quite capable of making my own judgments, thankyouverymuch.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I have no idea how that invalidates my point of view.

People could post that they've seen "otherwise" all day. It's not going to change how I view the world. I'm quite capable of making my own judgments, thankyouverymuch.

I tend to agree. The negative might catch attention, but, frankly, in my experience, the majority is positive, and garners no attention because it is the norm.

 

[KellyNY]

A child on a small ECV isn't going to cause as big of an impact.

But I WOULD bet that the child is in greater danger while going quickly, being without their parents, etc. Because ECVs ridden by adults are invisible enough (which I saw while with a friend who drives responsibly), let alone a smaller person on a smaller vehicle. They will be double-invisible, and without adults around to watch out for them, they could be seriously injured if some adult steps out in front so they can't stop, etc etc (and the mind boggles if there were someone like the acquaintance I mentioned previously in accident distance of the smaller ECVs).

I agree but same can be said about any little kid walking or running infront parents and every stroller. For some reason anyone below eye level is invisible for many people. I do not know exactly how fast ECV can go, and how fast those kids were going, zipping by is pretty much just a figure of speach. Also we do not know about parents, just because they were not zipping next to them does not mean they did not walk couple steps behind, OP was not in deserted place with just those 2 kids.There were adults around, they just did not wear tags.

 

[princessmom29]

I tend to agree. The negative might catch attention, but, frankly, in my experience, the majority is positive, and garners no attention because it is the norm.

I am really not trying to be negative here, I just think it bears mentioning, and if it can prevent an accident that would be great too.

 

[KellyNY]

No one is not inherently more dangerous than the other, but some previous post basically said that any child in an ECV would need it and therefore be a capable driver. I am justsaying that this MAY not be the case and one should use the same caution and awareness around a child in a ECV as an adut in a ECV.

This one I agree on 100%. Need does not mean capability, for kids or adults equally. On the other hand, unlike adults who sometimes just rent ECV in park and never use it home, kids probably get ECV at home when and if they are capable to use one. Who needs uncontrollable minivan in their home.

 

[Michelle and crew]

I am really not trying to be negative here, I just think it bears mentioning, and if it can prevent an accident that would be great too.

Fair enough. I just think it is a concept that I have seen played through time and time again.

Everyone should keep an eye out in a crowd. My mom has an ecv when necessary. She has had many people ignore her, step in front and over her. She also had to practice for quite a bit to dodge and stop asap. Taking care is always good.

 

[disneymomma1978]

With that in mind, it's probably best to NOT bring up the idea of flaming, I would think. (QUOTE]

If you look at the post before mine, there was a joke about the odds of this thread getting nasty. I thought my statement and matching silly icon would continue with the humor.
It was said in good fun.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

 

[nytimez]

If you look at the post before mine, there was a joke about the odds of this thread getting nasty. I thought my statement and matching silly icon would continue with the humor.
It was said in good fun.

Who would have guessed that a joke about the thread getting nasty would lead to the thread getting nasty?

 

[disneymomma1978]

Who would have guessed that a joke about the thread getting nasty would lead to the thread getting nasty?

 

[kmvand1]

I can't comment on the specifics of it since I wasn't there -- but would you prefer they struggle with a traditional wheelchair? Get pulled along on a skateboard? These aren't cars, they don't need licenses or special skills beyond a little practice. I'd be willing to bet that many kids in these things would be far more responsible than some of the adults who use them.

I would imagine being 5 or 6, it would be easier for everyone involved if they were in wheelchairs, wouldn't you???