Run Over By An EVC

[brendrek]

I just got back from WDW last night. I had a great trip overall. The weather was nice all week, crowds were managable. One bad thing happened though. Yesterday morning around 10:30 am I was run over by an older woman carelessly driving her ECV in the queue for A Bugs Life in AK. You know that part that slops down hill toward the Tree of Life? Anyway, it really hurt (and it still does). The woman mumbled something about not knowing how to drive "this thing", but she never apologized to me. Her husband yelled at her, saying this "isn't the first person you've hit today". Of course after the incident she stayed really far back. I know accidents happen, but hitting multiple people with no regard??? Not cool.

 

[puffkin]

I almost got creamed by one too the other week. My DH and I were in DHS waiting at the entrance to Beauty and the Beast in the shade against the wall. We had been on ToT while my mom took DS to see the show and we were waiting for them to come out. An older lady was parked on her ECV and put it in reverse to back out (it was against the wall). She floored it and couldn't control it and it came hurtling backwards towards me and the wall. I jumped out of the way just in time but she did hit the wall pretty hard. She was very apologetic (seemed like she got confused with reverse/forward and then panicked) but I got the feeling it wasn't her first mishap on it. It definitely could have done some damage to me (and especially a child) if I wouldn't have been able to move out of the way.

We were also eating at the Plaza the one day and sitting by the doors. The greeter opened the door for a family and out of nowhere an ECV came FLYING into the restaurant. I have never seen one move that fast, it must of had a fresh charge or been souped up Anyway, it crashed head on into a table right inside the door. The lady calmly backed up (dragging a chair with her that was caught on it) and then zoomed off towards her table. The chair fell off a few feet away. Luckily no one was sitting at that first table. You had to be there, but it was seriously the funniest thing we have ever seen at Disney You cannot imagine the speed of it and how unexpected it was. And it didn't even faze the driver......

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Sorry this happend to you.

Buuuttt if you think folks are careless with ECV's at Disney, avoid cruising Holland America, because they travel in packs like motorcycle gangs, and you'd better not get in their way! LOL!

For folks that are not used to using one, they can be difficult to master, and it can be very stressful for the operator in a crowded situation, but yeah she should have apologized, like another poster said, the person was prob. embarrassed.

 

[PrincessPaczki]

Last year my DH and I were walking to Soaring when all of a sudden a man on a ECV literally ran over a small boy! His scooter was on top of him and could not move. He still was trying to go and his ECV was going further up the boys legs and back. My DH rushed over and lifted the scooter by the front handles while the parents went and grabbed the boy. Believe it or not, while lifting the evc off the ground the man was still trying to go, and the wheels were going full speed! Very scary!

 

[bytheblood]

I have been hit by one as well and the person who did it made it out like it was my fault. I honestly think it is embarassment that makes them respond that way.

 

[rrkman]

My only ECV story is when we were leaving MK after wishes a couple years ago. Just imagine how many people were on Main St. Well, she is cutting people off, honking her little horn, bumping into people, yelling 'excuse me, coming through'...the entire time. She finally gets up to me and is kind of right behind me to the left. Now, I'm already a little stressed because I am pushing a stoller and trying my best not to run into anyone, cut anyone off, etc.....and all I hear is that stupid little horn and "coming through" as I'm practically tripping over the front of her cart. I snapped, turned around, and barely pulled myself together in time to NOT rip that stupid little horn off....I looked at her, she seemed a little startled, and kindly reminded her that we are all going to the same place and suggested that she just take it easy and relax. She slowed down, took her place in the line (and I use that term loosely) and I think it helped make it easier and quicker for everyone to leave the park.

So, I really have no problem with them and I'm glad that it gives some people a chance to enjoy disney...because they might never be able to do it without them....but, please, take it easy. You're already sitting down so just relax.

One other thing, it does amaze me how some people believe that riding in one removes any responsiblity to be courteous. Like in the stories above...apologize in you 'accidently' run into someone....or, if you knock over a table and chairs, stop to make sure everything is alright (maybe even pick up the chair?). I'll stop now before I get a little fired up on the topic.

 

[TriciaSDMom]

This past June I was talking with a woman who's husband was using a ECV. We were getting off of the monorail and he was a little farther back. She was warning us to watch out for him. She said he was having a hard time controlling it and found that a lot of people will just walk in front of him and he can't stop that quickly. She made it sound like they were very touchy and will go a lot faster than expected. They also don't stop on a dime. Of course, this doesn't justify the people just standing there and getting run over without an apology (which I believe you should have gotten), but it might help/explain the run ins when walking. I took her advice and watched out for them and made sure they had plenty of room if I was walking near one.

 

[JandD Mom]

 

[SheenaXena21]

These stories are cracking me up!!!!

Sorry for those that have been injured or ran over, I'm sure it wasn't funny to you.

WDW obviously needs an ECV training course before renting out to people!

 

[brendrek]

I'm sure someday I'll look back and laugh. Right now my heel still hurts. You know the one that hit me had a chrome ram plate on the front. Why don't they just put a rubber bumper on the front? It would hurt less.

 

[jpolak]

We were almost mowed down by a pack of ECVs last fall. While waiting for the HM to re-open they lined up behind us. There had to be at least six of them next to each other all in a row. DW told me to pick up DD because one mis step and she'd get flattened.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Anyone ever see that Seinfeld episode where George was using an ECV and he was being chased by a bunch of people on ECVs? This thread reminds me of that, has me laughing...I love that show!

 

[melancholywings]

Sometimes I think the walkways in the park need to be divded into lanes, ECV lane, stroller lane and the stop and gawk at our map in one huge group lane.

 

[Grumpy's_Gal]

While I think it's inexcusable for someone in an ECV to "hit and run" without apologizing, after having recently been to Disny with my MIL in one, I have to say I'm much more sympathetic to people using EVCs.

They do not stop on a dime, and it was very nervewracking for her to be driving and constantly maneuvering around people jumping in front of her trying to get around the EVC instead of waiting their turn. She was driving slowly so as not to hit anyone that stopped dead in their tracks to read a map or wait for theire kids to catch up or whatever. We finally got into a routine where I would lead the way and try to "part the waters", MIL would ride behind me, and my DH would bring up the rear, giving her extra room behind her as well.

I understand that some EVC drivers just aren't considerate at all, but others are, and by being a little more accomodating and giving them some extra space we could go a long way in preventing EVC accidents too.

Lori

 

[puffkin]

I thought of another one, not really an "accident" but it was so funny. Having been to WDW during various times of year, I can defintely say there are TONS of ECV's there in December. Probably with the weather and less crowds, it is a good time for those who need them to go.

Anyway, I was pregnant while we were there the last December (2005) so my DH and I were doing a lot of stuff we normally don't do since I couldn't do a lot of the rides. ONe of our days we made it a mission to see all the live entertainment in Epcot. We almost DIED when we got to Morroco for the Mo'Rockin show. There must have been 50 ECV's lined up around the stage and the looks on the older gentlemen's faces when the belly dancer came out....It was so funny I didn't realize Mo'Rockin was such a draw for the ECV set......

 

[MHSweb79]

Last summer, my 75 year old aunt got hit by one of these things in Epcot. Believe me, my aunt did not cut in front of anyone - she was standing still and someone ran into her. She had quite a bad bruise on her leg and had to spend the rest of the afternoon back at the hotel, which really was a shame.
After reading all of these stories, I think we should have reported this accident to someone. Do they put number plates on those scooters? If not, they should. I would think that Disney would want to keep guest safety in mind. I bet someone gets hurt every day by those things, and judging by the stories here, somebody is going to get hurt pretty bad one of these days.

 

[Yoshi]

While I think it's inexcusable for someone in an ECV to "hit and run" without apologizing, after having recently been to Disny with my MIL in one, I have to say I'm much more sympathetic to people using EVCs.

They do not stop on a dime, and it was very nervewracking for her to be driving and constantly maneuvering around people jumping in front of her trying to get around the EVC instead of waiting their turn. She was driving slowly so as not to hit anyone that stopped dead in their tracks to read a map or wait for theire kids to catch up or whatever. We finally got into a routine where I would lead the way and try to "part the waters", MIL would ride behind me, and my DH would bring up the rear, giving her extra room behind her as well.

I understand that some EVC drivers just aren't considerate at all, but others are, and by being a little more accomodating and giving them some extra space we could go a long way in preventing EVC accidents too.

Lori

I agree, driving an EVC at WDW is very difficult. My dad uses an ECV when we go to any amusement park (he has his own) and we usually go to WDW at peak times and it is crazy how many people walk right in front of the ECV like you mentioned just to try to get ahead. There have been times where I literally have to walk in front or behind of the ECV with my arms stretched out to give him room to manuever so heback out of a place it is parked out because no one stops (I am not talking about pushing in front of other people but waiting our turn).

On the flip side, there are too many people with ECV's who are rude and try to push in front of others which gives all ECV users a bad image even though all aren't like that.

 

[cvjw]

While at SeaWorld last year, I was barely able to pull my 7 year old son's best-friend out of the way of a speeding scooter. There were 2 ladies on the scooter. One driving, one sitting in the driver's lap, waving a lit cigarette, no less. If I had not looked backwards, and pulled him out of the way, he would've been hit by the scooter, and burned by the lit cigarette. I yelled at the ladies to watch what they were doing, they cursed at me and sped off. A little while later, we passed an older lady that had been hit by them, and a worker who was investigating the incident.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I realize that ECVs might be difficult to use. However, they are a vehicle and it's really up to the person riding them to ensure that they don't run into anyone. I'm not saying that people should deliberately walk out in front of them but, if that does happen, it is up to the driver.

I agree with the person who suggested having a short course when renting them, like with the Segways. People should take time to learn the basics before they go full speed into the parks.

 

[eliza61]

Last summer, my 75 year old aunt got hit by one of these things in Epcot. Believe me, my aunt did not cut in front of anyone - she was standing still and someone ran into her. She had quite a bad bruise on her leg and had to spend the rest of the afternoon back at the hotel, which really was a shame.
After reading all of these stories, I think we should have reported this accident to someone. Do they put number plates on those scooters? If not, they should. I would think that Disney would want to keep guest safety in mind. I bet someone gets hurt every day by those things, and judging by the stories here, somebody is going to get hurt pretty bad one of these days.

Sorry about you're Aunt but I sure Disney does want to keep people safe, I'll play devils advocate. They put license plate numbers on it, then what? You report the accident, what do you expect Disney to do. Go get the person who's driving, call the cops, charge the person a fee? Stop renting the things? All of the above suggestions have so many legal reprecussions it's already making my head spin.

I think with so many situations, a little common courtesy can go a long way.
I can't tell you how many times I walk the parks with my head in the "pixie dust". I see a pretty picture moment and all of a sudden stop, my husband has run into the back of me so many times, he now gives me one of those "I should have had a v-8 slaps on the head".
I'm sure I've unintensionally cut into a person now and again over the course of 15 trips and I'm sure some ECV drivers are not as attentive as they could be. So I call it a draw.

Just practice a little forgiveness and a lot of patience.