Six times more e-scooter crashes across Humberside area over the past year
THE number of e-scooter crashes across the Humberside region has increased by six times over the last year according to new data.
The data, which is grouped by police force area, shows there were 12 collisions involving e-scooters during 2021.
This is a massive increase on the two that were reported in the previous year.
The use of e-scooters has exploded in the last year or so even though they cannot ridden legally on roads except in towns and cities where they have been trialled. But there has been a noticeable rise in their use across Grimsby, where on pavements, cycle lanes or roads.
There have been a number of accidents reported in the Humberside area over the past year.
On December 27 last year, fiveyear-old Hugo Tasker was knocked down by a man riding an e-scooter in a pedestrianised zone in Grimsby which resulted in him requiring hospital treatment.
The boy sustained injuries to his face and legs and needed hospital treatment. He was badly shaken but not seriously hurt.
Just a month later, a rider broke his leg after crashing his e-scooter on January 27 after drinking too much. Humberside Police officers were called after the accident in Hull. An ambulance was called but officers soon realised the man was worse for wear.
When the casualty was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary he was also asked to provide a blood sample but refused. However, that didn’t prevent him ending up with a series of charges levelled against him.
The man was charged with failing to provide a sample, driving without due care and attention, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
Little more than a week later, a boy suffered head injuries in a crash involving an e-scooter and a bus. The crash happened on Holderness Road in Hull during Friday rush hour on February 4.
The boy was riding the scooter when he was knocked off and was taken to Hull Royal Infirmary but Humberside Police said the boy’s injuries i were not serious. s
Figures released r by the Department for Transport show the number of pedestrians injured after being hit by e-scooters was nearly four times higher in 2021 2 than the
previous p year.
The figures have been released just weeks after the Government announced it plans to introduce new legislation to govern the use of e-scooters. Private e-scooters are often used on public roads and pavements despite being banned, although legalised trials of rental e-scooters have been set up in dozens of towns and cities across England which is due to end in the spring.
Some 1,034 e-scooter riders or passengers were injured in 2021, accounting for 76 per cent of all casualties in crashes involving the devices. That includes nine users who were killed and 305 who were seriously injured.
A breakdown of the types of injuries resulting from e-scooter crashes shows 28 people suffered a serious head injury, 32 sustained a fractured lower leg, ankle or foot, and three endured a broken neck or back. Not all police provided full data for last year so the actual number of casualties during that period is likely to be higher.
A Government spokesman said: “We extend our deepest sympathies to those involved in these tragic incidents. Safety is at the heart of our e-scooter trials, looking to protect riders, pedestrians and other road users.
“We have set out clear regulations and guidance for users and rental providers on wearing helmets, speed limits and precautions to keep everyone safe.
“While riding a privately owned e-scooter on public land is currently illegal, we are considering how best to design future regulations.
“Our Transport Bill will enable us to take the steps we need to support innovation, robustly crack down on irresponsible use and make e-scooters safer.”
In some parts of the world, such as Auckland in New Zealand, they have become ubiquitous and you can hop on and off publicly available scooters by using an app or just paying by card. The Government announced last year nine areas of the country which have been trialling something similar in the UK – including Scunthorpe.
But debates have raged in places like Auckland over the safety of e scooters which have resulted in some serious injuries, both for the users and pedestrians who have been run over.
There does not seem to be an obvious safe area for e-scooters to use. They look too vulnerable on the roads and a liability on footpaths.
E-scooter owners in Hull may not realise but they are breaking the law by using public rights of way, be it roads, paths or even cycle lanes.
Under Government regulations, e-scooters are classed as “powered transporters” - a term used to cover a variety of novel and emerging personal transport devices powered by a motor.
The potential penalties depend on the nature and gravity of the offence, ranging from a fine and penalty points to disqualification from driving. The e-scooter could also be impounded.
People using e-scooters dangerously or while under the influence of drink or drugs could also be jailed. However, it is legal to use an e-scooter on private land with the permission of the landowner.
Last year, Ruth Gore spokesperson for Safer Roads Humber, told Hull Live: “There is no doubt that e-scooters are a mode of transport of the future – but the fact is at this current time, the use of privately owned devices remains illegal on public roads, cycle lanes and pavements.
“The information given out when you buy your own e-scooter is very limited, so people could be buying them with the best intentions to use themselves or perhaps for a child to get to school but are actually breaking the law, hence the reason for running this campaign.
“We would much rather raise awareness of the situation than have to take enforcement action.
“However, if you are caught committing the offence, your e-scooter can be seized and you could get a £300 fixed-penalty notice and six points on your driving licence.
“These laws are in place for both your safety, and the safety of other road users.
“It is important to remember that e-scooter riders are effectively driving a vehicle and as such need to obey all traffic laws and rules. However, as riders are unaware of this fact many use them without regard to their own and others safety.”
We have set out clear regulations and guidance for users and rental providers.
Government spokesman