Concern over number of E scooters illegally driven on North Yorkshire's roads
The force say too many people don't know the rules and regulations
There's concern over the number of E scooters being illegally driven on North Yorkshire's roads.
The force say they're becoming increasingly popular but people don't realise you can only use them on private land.
One man recently lost his driving license in North Yorkshire after being caught on an E scooter while drunk.
Leanne Anderson is a traffic sergeant and tells us about the consequences: "If you ride one without a license or insurance you would probably get a fine and points and if they tot up then you are going to lose your license. If you get caught drink or drug driving then you are going to go to court, and it's an obligatory driving disqualification."
The force say although they are seen as “fun to use” and carry several benefits, police officers in the county have seen several instances where they have been used in an anti social and dangerous way with some riders flouting the law.
This has led to several prosecutions for offences such as using an e-scooter with no insurance or when over the prescribed limit. Sergeant Anderson recently pulled over a 20 year-old man who was more than double the legal limit while riding a scooter: "He was wobbling all over the place and I was immediately thinking this guy is impaired, probably drink or drugs, and when I stopped him low and beyond he was intoxicated with alcohol and was way over the legal limit." He has since been disqualified from driving.
However not all E scooter use on the road is illegal. York is participating in the Department for Transport’s e-scooter trials. The trial was originally for 12-months, starting in November 2020 but has since been extended to May 2024. The company “Tier” is responsible for facilitating the trial and as part of the agreement they provide insurance to users.