Ngl, I’d like to see a broken escalator failing more than being stairs. I don’t know if manufacturers tell that as an abundance of caution or if they even say that, but a broken escalator becoming a danger seems highly unlikely to me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXj69fJjgA
If the brakes aren't operating properly the stairs could start moving uncontrollably.
But the thing is, you don't know what it's state is, and it's clearly not in the "everything is OK" state. At least if it's running you can guess the operator is intending for you to use it.