Is an e-scooter on your Christmas list?

Derbyshire Constabulary  - Is an e-scooter on your Christmas list?

As we mark a year since our new ‘seize first’ approach with e-scooters, we’re urging you to think twice before buying an e-scooter, as they can only be used legally on private land.

In the past 12 months, officers across Derbyshire have seized more than 600 e-scooters which have been ridden illegally on public paths or roads.

These e-scooters have then been destroyed, with parts recycled where possible.

We’ve also seen the number of incidents of injuries related to e-scooter collisions halve since the start of the new approach.

Inspector Lee Welsby said: 

“Officers in Derbyshire have been proactive in reducing the risk and harm caused by e-scooters. We’re also now working with Parliamentary committees to share learning to help shape the national approach. “This is an issue that is often raised in our community meetings, surveys and to officers on the street, as people don’t feel safe with these vehicles pushing past on the pavement, or being used to enable crime in our communities. “We’re sharing the message again ahead of Christmas, you cannot use e-scooters on public land, so please do your research and make sure all the presents under the tree can be used safely and lega

Electrical scooters (also known as e-scooters) come under the category of 'powered transporters'. This covers a range of personal transport devices that are powered by a motor.

E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles under the Road Traffic Act 1988. This means the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters including the need to have a licence and insurance.

    🔺There are two ways of using an e-scooter:

• by privately owning one

• by renting one through an authorised rental scheme (You can rent e-scooters in some parts of the UK through e-scooter rental trials)

    🔺 Owning your own E-Scooter 

•  It's not currently possible to get insurance for privately owned e-scooters. This means it’s illegal to use them on the road or in public spaces, such as parks, street pavements, and shopping centres.

•  If you use a privately-owned e-scooter in public, you risk the vehicle being seized under S.165 Road Traffic Act 1988 for having no insurance. 

•  If you cause serious harm to another person whilst riding an e-scooter, the incident will be investigated in the same way it would if you were riding a motorcycle or driving a car. 

Police Forces can set and enforce penalties differently, so the penalty will vary depending on where the offence is committed. 

   🔺You could also be committing an offence if you're caught: 

• riding on a pavement: fixed penalty notice and possible £50 fine 

• using a mobile phone or other handheld mobile device while riding: £200 and six penalty points

• riding through red lights: fixed penalty notice, £100 fine and possible penalty points

• drink driving: the same as if you were driving a car, you could face court imposed fines, a driving ban and possible imprisonment

  🔺 If you're using an e-scooter in public in an antisocial manner, you can also risk the e-scooter being seized under section 59 of the Police Reform Act.

🔺To find out more, visit our website and search ‘e-scooters’. www.derbyshire.police.uk - advice - road - safety

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