Scooters And One Wheels

The Cumbria Constabulary is issuing an e-scooter warning

The CUMBRIA Constabulary has urged people to fully understand the law before buying or driving an electric scooter after the vehicles have “been anti-social”.

The use of e-scooters on streets, footpaths, bike paths / lanes, bridle paths or back roads is illegal. Privately owned scooters may only be legally driven on private land with the consent of the owner.

E-scooters have grown in popularity after the government allowed trials of rental programs in several UK cities, including Birmingham, last year.

While rental e-scooters are now legal to use in some parts of the UK, the force has reminded people that it is still illegal to drive a private e-scooter in a public place in the UK.

E-scooters are potentially dangerous to drivers and other members of the public. Some reach speeds in excess of 30 miles per hour and are therefore classified as powered vans, which are subject to the same legislation as motor vehicles.

This means that people need a driver’s license and insurance in order to drive.

They also have to be registered to be driven on the road and are subject to technical standards such as MOT and road tax.

Sergeant Craig Hynes of the Mobile Support Group said, “Anyone who uses an electric scooter, powered van on a public road or other prohibited place, as listed above, in violation of the law will commit a criminal offense as well can be tracked have the scooter confiscated in accordance with the Road Traffic Act.

“I urge anyone considering buying an e-scooter for themselves or their children to reconsider, unless you have private land to use them.

“We have seen an increase in anti-social behavior among these scooters and are actively enforcing the legislation.

“Please be warned that we will confiscate the scooter and report violations to you if you are found with an e-scooter on a street, a footpath, a bridle path or a back road. This will ultimately result in penalty points on your driver’s license, disqualification and / or fines.

“Please help protect yourself and our communities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Peter McCall added: “It is against the law to drive a private e-scooter in a public location in the UK and the trial of using rented e-scooters on the streets can cause confusion for some people .

“The legislation for renting an e-scooter is the same as for renting a car. People who use them must follow the rules and regulations for using a vehicle on a public highway. Otherwise, they may receive penalty points on their driver’s license, a fine, or be banned from driving.

“The safety of the people on our streets is an issue that everyone can participate in. Individuals, families, friends and communities play an important role in promoting safer driving in the county. Only together can we improve road safety and ultimately help save lives. ”

Read the full instructions for e-scooters here

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