Warning to scooter riding youngsters

POLICE are concerned that youngsters and children are putting themselves at risk of serious injuries by riding electric scooters on roads and footpaths across Carmarthen and not wearing safety gear.

It has sparked a warning from Dyfed-powys Police in the hope of getting the message across to parents that the scooters are not toys and every care should be taken by youngsters – providing they are legally old enough and properly licensed with at least a provisional driving licence – when using them in towns and residential areas.

PCSO Nicola Waters ofthe force’s Carmarthen neighbourhood policing team said there had been an increase in the use of the scooters, known as e-scooters, in the Carmarthen area.

She added: “Our main concern is that these scooters can go up to 20mph. Children are not wearing safety equipment and should they have an accident they could serious injuries.

“Children are unaware of the Highway Code, so as a consequence they are riding on footpaths, endangering pedestrians, zipping on and off the footpath, going the wrong way down roads, not signalling or looking when coming into or out of road junctions, to name a few.

“We would like to explain to and educate parents in the hope that we don’t have to go down the route of fines.”

E-scooters come under the category of “powered transporters”, which fall within the legal definition of a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Therefore, the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters.

As a motor vehicle, they must comply with various pieces of road traffic legislation and any child under the age of 16 should not be riding them.

Those of legal age would also need at least a provisional licence, be insured and have road tax. sustain