Warning over buying e-scooters as Christmas presents
North Yorkshire Police are urging people to do their research first, following a rise in reports of youths riding around on them in the Selby area.
People thinking about buying e-scooters as Christmas presents are being urged to do their research first.
North Yorkshire Police are reminding people that you need at least a provisional driving licence and insurance to use on on a road or public space.
Riders who don't have insurance will be treated like any other motorist - and could get six penalty points and a £300 fine.
In a Facebook post Selby Police said:
"Thinking of buying your child an e-scooter for Christmas? Please do your research first as it is illegal to ride an e-scooter on public roads and pavements.
"We are already receiving an increase in reports of youths riding around on these in the Selby area. Please be aware that your e-scooter can be seized by police and a fine given".
North Yorkshire Police Traffic Sergeant Mark Patterson said:
"They're definitely not a suitable Christmas present for children. To use one on a public road you need a driving licence and insurance.
"At the moment there are no commercially available insurance policies that will cover private e-scooters for use on the road, as required by the Road Traffic Act.
"As the use of e-scooter use increases we've had several people arrested for drink driving/drink riding using e-scooters, both privately owned and the trial scheme in York.
"A number of people have had convictions at court and lost their driving licences as a result of riding the scooters under the influence of drink or drugs.
"We've had in York recently a pedestrian who was seriously injured after a scooter collided with them, and that scooter then made off from the scene".
TC Patterson has shared five facts about the scooters in a bid to encourage riders to use them safely and legally.
1. E-scooters are classed as motor vehicles. TC Patterson says: "(They) are a form of powered transporter and are classed as motor vehicles by the Road Traffic Act.
"That means you need a driving licence and insurance to use one on a road or public place.
"Personal users are unlikely to be able to obtain adequate insurance, so are only allowed to use their e-scooter on private land."
2. If you ride one when you’re drunk, you could be arrested. "If you’re under the influence of drink or drugs you may be arrested. If convicted you could face a driving ban and a large fine," said TC Patterson.
"We have to deal with you like any other motorist. So that also means if you don’t have insurance you could also get six points and a £300 fine."
3. York is the only place in North Yorkshire which has a trial scheme to help you ride legally. TC Patterson said: "You still need at least a provisional driving licence, must be over the age of 18 and register with the company responsible for the trial.
"You will need to comply with the rules set by the company, who will explain where you can ride legally. They will also ask you to prove you have a valid provisional or full driving license when you book."
4. Children are not exempt. "The rules still apply to under 18s," said TC Patterson. "If a child is stopped riding an e-scooter in a public place, we will provide advice to both them and their parents about where they can be legally used.
"If this advice is ignored then they may be subject to prosecution."
5. Police have the power to seize illegally-ridden e-scooters. TC Patterson said: "We’d much rather people stick to the rules. But if they don’t we can seize their e-scooter.
"They’d be liable for a fee of at least £150 to reclaim it and they’d only get it back if they could produce a valid insurance policy."
More information on using e-scooters safely can be found here.