Run Over By An EVC

[MHSweb79]

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?

No, but they could track the number of incidents on a daily basis and maybe come up with some plan for reducing accidents (like special ECV lines, as others have suggested). Also, if someone really got hurt, they could tell if the same driver had been hitting people all day, which would make the driver more responsible.
I guess what I would like to see is some instruction offered or a rider having to pass a certain level of ability before they let anyone take off on one of these things. Right now all you need is the $$ to rent one.

Just practice a little forgiveness and a lot of patience.

In general I agree - lots of patience is needed in Disney World, that's for sure. BUT, I think it's pretty hard to practice a little "forgiveness" when you've got blood running down the back of your leg along with a nasty bruise and you have to miss a day of your vacation from the injury.

 

[lbklyn]

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!

Love that show too! The best part I thought was when they made it look like George was going so fast and then you see people who are walking at a normal pace passing him by. Toooooooo Funny!!!

 

[Grumpy3]

We've never had a problem with them but if they are so hard to control perhaps they shouldn't be used in a place that is so crowded with people!

Also they are a powered vehicle and the pedestrian always has the right of way.

 

[blondemom]

I was nearly mowed down by one in Animal Kingdom. These things happen, I'm sure. However, a Cast Member kept telling the woman driving that she COULD NOT drive it with her daughter on her lap. She kept telling him - gasp - to mind his own business! He said, "This is my business. If you don't follow the rules, I will escort you to return the vehicle." We were behind them again at another point that day with daughter still on mom's lap. Oh, well. Some people feel they are above the rules. I try to always do what is right and am shocked (although I shouldn't be) that people still try to bend the rules as far as they could!

 

[rrkman]

I don't think that they need an ECV police because that would never work. But, they could make EVC lines to exit at park closing, they could slow down the max speed so that they are no faster than walking....I'm sure there are a lot of other ideas that are out there.

Also, this just gets a little more attention because getting hit with a scooter hurts a little more than getting hit with a stroller which hurts a little more than getting bumped into by an adult which hurts a little more than getting run over by a kid wearing heelys which hurts a little more than getting run into by a little kid running around in the middle of a walkway. All of which can be avoided if everyone just used some common courtesy and common sense.

By the way, I looked everywhere for a picture of George on his scooter (to post in here) but couldn't find one. Loved that scene when people were passing him walking.

 

[everylastbreath]

I'm sorry this happened to you, and agree that some ECV's are handled recklessly, but I think the majority of the people who are using them are just unfamilar with operating one, and add to that the fact that most are senior citizens the combination could be hazardous, some react to the sudden movement of ECV going too fast, by actually going faster. But as "able body person's who are able to walk, maybe we should get out of their way and give them some room. We took my 81 year old mother to Disney in August and for the first time she had to use an ECV and I'm telling you it was scary, she did handle it pretty well, but we would surround her basically to make sure that she had enough room to get thru area's safety. There were many times that people would walk in front of her, stop shortly, or just not even seem to notice her, there were plenty of times I felt if I were driving that thing I would have hit them just for being so rude.

I suggest anyone who complains about ECV's - try one, and try it in the middle of main street as the parade is just about over.... Your prospective will surely change. Most ECV's users do not aim for people as sport.

Please do not mistake this post for excusing rude people who use ECV's for fun.

 

[Pooh Bear Hugs]

Most people are hit because they walk in the way of ECV, wheelchairs and pushchairs, all of theses require a reasonable breaking distance and turning space.

 

[Grumpy3]

I still say if people are getting hurt maybe they shouldn't allow them to be used in such large crowds of people.

 

[eliza61]

We've never had a problem with them but if they are so hard to control perhaps they shouldn't be used in a place that is so crowded with people!

Also they are a powered vehicle and the pedestrian always has the right of way.

Humm, I think the ADA would have quite a bit to say about that, also the gang over at american civil liberties. You cannot discriminate against folks with diabilities and you have to provide accomodations. Disney is not touching that one with a 10 ft pixie wand.

 

[Grumpy3]

Perhaps they should make everyone ride them so it's equal opportunity or maybe the government could set up testing centers and issue licenses to qualified drivers. We have to protect innocent children from getting run over.

 

[goofy4tink]

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.

I had the exact same experience at MK a few years ago!!! This lady was really in a huge rush to get out...honking and yelling.."Move over, coming through, move over!!!" She sure did get some less than pleasant looks as well as comments.

Most people are hit because they walk in the way of ECV, wheelchairs and pushchairs, all of theses require a reasonable breaking distance and turning space.

Sorry but have to disagree. If an ECV comes screaming up behind me, as in the above experience, then I did not walk in front of them!!! I have been in close calls with ECVs, as well as strollers, way too many times. I try to stay in 'my space', and not encroach on someone else's 'space'..but, there are some that feel they are more entitled to move along rapidly than others..and proceed to do so. I spend a few days with a friend on an ECV a few weeks ago. Yes, it was eye opening to see it from her point of view. But, she was careful and knew where she was, and who was around her at all times. She was always prepared to stop at any moment. I don't remember her running into one single person!!!

Humm, I think the ADA would have quite a bit to say about that, also the gang over at american civil liberties. You cannot discriminate against folks with diabilities and you have to provide accomodations. Disney is not touching that one with a 10 ft pixie wand.

While I completely agree, I have to say that just because someone is provided accomodations (an ECV or such), that doesn't give them free rein to just lurch about a crowded park. There is a learning curve to those darn things...those who use them need to be proficient in the use of an ECV before heading out to a crowded park. There is no excuse for hiding behind the 'it's hard to manuver the ECVs and to stop and turn them' argument. Learn how to drive one and then head out to a park.
I wonder how someone would feel if they failed to stop in time and hit a child, causing bodily harm to that child. If a person is riding at a reasonable speed, then stopping shouldn't be an issue.

 

[eliza61]

I

While I completely agree, I have to say that just because someone is provided accomodations (an ECV or such), that doesn't give them free rein to just lurch about a crowded park. There is a learning curve to those darn things...those who use them need to be proficient in the use of an ECV before heading out to a crowded park. There is no excuse for hiding behind the 'it's hard to manuver the ECVs and to stop and turn them' argument. Learn how to drive one and then head out to a park.
I wonder how someone would feel if they failed to stop in time and hit a child, causing bodily harm to that child. If a person is riding at a reasonable speed, then stopping shouldn't be an issue.

You're absolutely right, unfortunately I think this is one of those situations where Disney can't control. So we are left with relying on the common sense & good manners of the general public which every one has seen especially at disney can be in very short supply.

 

[rrkman]

Perhaps they should make everyone ride them so it's equal opportunity or maybe the government could set up testing centers and issue licenses to qualified drivers. We have to protect innocent children from getting run over.

I agree. Maybe they should follow the american way of laziness and make a 'no walking' rule - similar to what many golf courses have gone to.

I just have a couple things to add. If these things are really that hard to stop and/or drive, maybe they should fix that. Make it so that if the accelerator is let go, it stops. This isn't a flintstone's car where you have to put your feet down to stop. And, like I said before, there is no reason any scooter should be faster than the average walker....post a max speed, if they can't abide by that, offer them the choice of a manual wheelchair or a one way ticket to the parking lot.

Also, we are not talking about blaming the driver for running into someone that jumps out in front of them....please read the original stories posted on here. We are specifically talking about those irresponsible drivers that feel whatever happens to others while they are on it doesn't really matter....everyone should just get out of the way so that they can enjoy themselves.

 

[Aardvarks]

Hmm,

If you are driving a powered vehicle and you hit a pedestrian.....it is your fault....irrespective if they jumped out in front of you. You were driving too fast for the conditions and without enough due care and attention.

It is not just the old, infirm and disabled that drive these things, I have seen young people, who are obese.......and even after a beer driving them.

I have seen old people wearing specatacles that make them look like a jap sniper driving them. Maybe some kind of proficiency test and public liability insurance is in order.

Maybe if Disney went back to self propelled or carer assited wheel chairs, things might calm down.

Ps, my mum drives one, she is disabled, she has passed a test and has a certificate, she carries insurance.

 

[Purseval]

Just think, a lot of these careless ECV drivers are going out and getting behind the wheel of a car.

 

[rrkman]

Hmm,

If you are driving a powered vehicle and you hit a pedestrian.....it is your fault....irrespective if they jumped out in front of you. You were driving too fast for the conditions and without enough due care and attention.

It is not just the old, infirm and disabled that drive these things, I have seen young people, who are obese.......and even after a beer driving them.

I have seen old people wearing specatacles that make them look like a jap sniper driving them. Maybe some kind of proficiency test and public liability insurance is in order.

Maybe if Disney went back to self propelled or carer assited wheel chairs, things might calm down.

Ps, my mum drives one, she is disabled, she has passed a test and has a certificate, she carries insurance.

I will have to admit that reading the part about the sniper did make me laugh out loud...but, you might want to rethink your comparison choices a little.

 

[winnapooh]

I'm guessing they have speed limiters on the rentals (like the ones they have on Segways), but I agree that they should dial them down (or put them on them if they don't have them). I had to use an ECV once at a store when I was on bedrest and wasn't allowed to walk, but going crazy sitting at home. We went at night so I didn't have to avoid too many people, but they definitely have a learning curve to them.

I think Disney should do a training course (10 minutes is better than nothing), and if you do okay, they can raise the speed limiter a little bit. If you do horribly, or refuse the training, they dial it down to the lowest possible setting. A comfortable speed for one person could be uncomfortable for another; if they would take 10 minutes to tailor it to the person, that would help a lot. And they could even make it so you can take the ECV back later in the day, once you get the hang of it, to raise the speed a bit (if it was pretty low to begin with).

I don't think there's any reason anyone on an ECV should be going faster than the average people walk...I know I can change my walking speed, but I've seen too many ECVs just lurch forward because they aren't sure how to use them, or they are going to fast for comfort. In fact, I saw a woman at Walmart run into an entire rack of food because she couldn't figure out how to turn in time to miss it...definitely moving too fast!

 

[Aardvarks]

I will have to admit that reading the part about the sniper did make me laugh out loud...but, you might want to rethink your comparison choices a little.

Point taken.....my bad..............british sense of humour............Monty Python and all that.............no offence intended to people of the Nippon Empire or indeed people with advanced personal firearms skills.

'People wearing spectacles that look like jam jar bottoms'

fixed it

 

[Shannon84]

When I saw this topic, I knew I had to comment. I worked at Epcot last year, at that the "Living with the Land" ride. When you get on the greenhouse boat tour , you cannot take an ECV with you, so you leave it when you get on. The CM must drive it over to the exit so that it is ready for you when you get off the ride. You cannot push these things, you have to drive them!! I used to dread when I was rotated into the CM position that was responsible for this task. I always thought I was going to drive myself into the water at the ride lol Not saying this is an excuse for bad driving, but maybe there should be an ECV lane!! They are really touchy and I would NOT want to drive one!!

 

[karen2669]

What about liability? I know Disney has insurance, but if someone riding one crashed and hurt themselves or someone else...especially a child, ultimately they would be responsible for damages right? There are plenty of sue-happy people out there that might even take advantage of that.

Just wondering.