Despite the current law banning e-scooters from driving on UK roads, police across the UK are stopping an increasing number of the vehicles on public roads and pavements.
The e-scooters, or Personal Light Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in urban areas, leading to a call for a review of the legislation which currently limits the legal use of them to private property. But following two deaths in recent weeks, campaigners are asking for the review to be brought forward so that safeguards can be put in place.
“We need the Department for Transport to accelerate their review to really put some safeguards around their use,” said Transport for London’s director of transport, Michael Hurwitz. He was speaking in the wake of the death of Emily Hartridge, a popular YouTube star who was the first person to be killed on an e-scooter when she was involved in a crash near her home in South West London. A second person, Bradley Visser from Oxford also passed away this week following a crash in July.
Despite the law forbidding the use of e-scooters, the Metropolitan Police caught almost 100 people in London using the scooters last week, with 10 receiving a fixed £300 penalty notice and their vehicle was also seized.
A Department of Transport spokesman said: “It is illegal to use a powered transporter in spaces which are set aside for use by pedestrians, cyclists, and horse-riders.
“This includes on the pavement and in cycle lanes.
“Any person who uses a powered transporter on a public road or other prohibited space in breach of the law is committing a criminal offence and can be prosecuted.”