All road users must follow the same rules

SOON anyone will be able to get a provisional driving licence, hire an electric scooter, and without any knowledge of the Highway Code, ride on our roads amongst the traffic at up to 15 and a half miles an hour.

They won’t even need to wear a crash helmet. Sounds wonderful, doesn’t it?

We are told, mostly from those who will be making the money from hiring them, that this will be safe. Safe for whom? Not the inexperienced riders weaving in and out of traffic at an almost silent top speed, perhaps with heavy bags on their backs, unbalancing themselves by making them top heavy.

I know they are supposed to ride in cycle lanes, but not all roads have them. Even when they do, cyclists often prefer to ride on the pavements because it is safer for them and to hell with what the Highway Code says about it.

Particularly not safe for elderly or infirm pedestrians who might have hearing difficulties and are not aware of the almost silent scooter and rider coming up behind them at a possibly lethal speed.

Pictures of scooter riders on TV, in London and other cities, show them at top speed all the time, on roads and pavements irrespective of traffic or pedestrians, because all it takes is a twist of the wrist. It is even less effort than cycling and fun to swerve around people and obstacles at high speed.

If they should injure someone, damage another vehicle, or even property, like cyclists they will be virtually untraceable because they have no registration numbers by which they can be traced.

Without a means of identification and third party insurance too, there is little chance of any injured party recovering any damages without expensive court cases, and no guarantee that those responsible will pay, or be able to pay, even if the court finds in your favour.

This might seem over the top to some people. You might change your mind if you have been unfortunate enough to be a victim of one of these uncaring and irresponsible people.

In these days where everybody is pressing for equality and political correctness, it is only fair that all road users, drivers, cyclists, scooter riders, be subject to the same rules.

P Collins Bristol