A LOCAL police officer is raising awareness about the law surrounding electric scooters – and has warned teenagers that if caught riding them illegally, the consequences could be “huge”.
According to PC Mike Obern – whose “beat area” covers Melksham – reports to Wiltshire Police about incidents involving e-scooters are “steadily increasing” in Melksham.
Incidents have involved e-scooters “cutting up” other vehicles on the road, users riding dangerously on the pavement, and intimidation of pedestrians.
It is currently against the law to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK – but PC Obern has explained that some users can sometimes be unaware of the law and the consequences – particularly those under the age of 17.
“Potentially you are opening yourself up to numerous road traffic offences, such as driving without insurance, driving without a licence,” explained PC Obern talking to Melksham News.
“This potentially leads to problems when you want to ride a moped, or turn 17 and want to learn to drive – it will be nigh on impossible to insure yourself or you’ll face a hideous insurance bill.
“Also, e-scooters are subject to drink drive and drug drive laws – if you are impaired by alcohol or drugs, then the points you could tot up for being on an e-scooter on a public highway – which includes the path – could be cataclysmic.
“You’d be looking at lengthy bans and a huge amount of points that will be around until your 20s.
“As fun as they are, the ramifications of e-scooters are huge.”
Local residents have also told Melksham News that they are worried about the use of e-scooters in the town and the safety of pedestrians.
One resident has also raised concerns about the safety of people using e-scooters, highlighting that most are not wearing protective clothing.
“I recently witnessed two children, one barely in their teens, the other younger, riding at speed down Forest Road,” said the local resident. “No protective clothing, no real control or knowledge of the speed they were doing or the potential danger they were causing.”
And “major concerns” have also been flagged with Melksham Town Council by residents in the east of Melksham, with the path between the end of Heather Avenue through to Dorset Crescent highlighted as a hot spot for e-scooters.
In a bid to raise awareness and deter people from using privately-owned e-scooters in any public place, PC Obern has explained that local police will be launching a social media campaign.
The campaign will then be followed by an “enforcement phase”, that will demonstrate to e-scooter owners that police are “policing to the letter of the law”.
“This should be sufficient to reduce the issue, and deter people,” said PC Obern.
Local police will also make contact with Melksham Oak School to discuss how to raise awareness about the law surrounding e-scooters with students and their parents. Meanwhile, PC Obern is encouraging residents to continue reporting any incidents involving e-scooters by calling 101 or by reporting the incident via the Wiltshire Police website. If there is an immediate risk to life, PC Obern says to call 999.
What is the law?
While e-scooters are legally available to purchase, it’s currently against the law to ride a privately owned e-scooter in any public place in the UK.
This includes roads, pavements, parks, town centres or promenades. The only place a privately owned e-scooter can be used is on private land.
This is because e-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs) so they are treated as motor vehicles.
As such, if they are used on a road, pavement or public place they are subject to the same legal requirements as any motor vehicle.
Using a ‘motor vehicle’ on a road or other public place without:
• Insurance – 6 points, £300 fine, seizure of vehicle
• Licence – penalty points, fine, seizure of vehicle
• Failing to comply with construction & use legislation – ranging from non-endorsable fixed penalty to being reported to court for using in a dangerous condition
• Impaired by alcohol/drugs – licence disqualification, fine or penalty points.
Wiltshire Police adds, “Offenders who knowingly and persistently break the law will be dealt with appropriately, whereby the e-scooter will be seized and the rider reported for any offences.”
