Growing concern in the UK as police register dramatic increase in e-scooters incidents
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Police across the UK revealed more than 1,600 incidents involving e-scooters, hoverboards and Segways have been reported since 2018.
Sky News reports that road safety campaigners have voiced concerns after more than 1,600 incidents involving the transport devices were recorded by forces since the start of 2018.
The British government is reviewing whether to allow e-scooters to be ridden legally in public – to ensure roads are safe for their use if the law is changed.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) urged the government to ensure people are protected if e-scooters are allowed on roads in the future.
The step was given new impetus after YouTube star Emily Hartridge became the first e-scooter rider to be killed in the UK last month, raising fears about the safety of the vehicles.
Currently in the UK, they can be used on private property, with the landowner’s permission, but it is illegal to ride them on public roads, cycle lanes or pavements.
Riders can face a £300 fixed-penalty notice and six points on their driving licence, but many are unaware of the rules which also apply to Segways and hoverboards.
A Sky News investigation revealed that in total, 618 incidents were reported in the first half of 2019, compared with 1,017 reported incidents in 2018, 1,123 incidents in 2017 and 1,275 incidents in 2016.
However, the actual number of incidents is likely to be much higher as only 27 forces out of 45 revealed figures for each year, while Britain’s biggest force – the Metropolitan Police – did not provide information.
