Essex road safety group calls for e-scooter regulation
Safer Essex Roads Partnership is calling on the government to look at legislation to regulate e-scooters
The Safer Essex Roads Partnership, who work with local authorities and emergency services, is calling on the government to look at legislation to regulate e-scooters.
It's as illegal e-scooter riders are set to be targeted under a fresh police crackdown in Neighbourhood Policing teams in Essex, such as South Woodham Ferrers.
Officers will be carrying out patrols and seizing e-scooters that are being illegally ridden, amongst growing public concern.
SERP are reminding the public that e-scooters remain illegal to use in any public place unless part of an approved trial.
Manager Will Cubbin tells Greatest Hits Radio "there's a lot of work to do in informing the public about their legalities and risks."
He says "not being a type approved vehicle, the actual quality of construction and predictability of handling makes them prone to certain types of collision.
He explains there is currently no type approval process for e-scooters, which is what's required for insurance.
"All motored vehicles must be insured and e-scooters currently cannot be insured. That's the fundamental problem.
Mr Cubbin is calling on the government to speed up the legislation to regulate them.
"Legislation to regulate them has been delayed by Government a number of times because other priorities have entered the legislative programme.
"If e-scooters are regulated the standard of the scooter can be guaranteed, people can have some sort of training and insurance that allows them to be used safely."
There are e-scooter trials going on around the county that are set to end in May 2025.
Operated by Dott, these are located in Basildon, Colchester and Chelmsford.
The trials come at no cost to Essex County Council or the participating districts.
Essex police say when using a rental e-scooter in an approved area, you must:
- hold the correct driving licence (find out about driving licence categories)
- have insurance (the rental companies provide this when you hire from them)
- meet the minimum age (this can vary depending on the rental company, so please check with them)
If you breach the rules when using an e-scooter you could face a fixed penalty notice.
This can include a £300 fine and six penalty points on your licence for having no insurance or a £100 fine and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence.
Police officers have the power to seize privately owned, illegal scooters.
If you own an e-scooter, you can only use it on private land but you must have permission from the landowner to do so.