Six times more e-scooter crashes in Humberside over the last year

The number of accidents are only likely to increase with more seen on the
streets

ByJames Campbell Reporter
16:15, 25 MAY 2022

Hugo Tasker, five, was injured in Grimsby after being hit by a e-scooter
similar to the one pictured being ridden in Hull

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.

There have been a number of accidents reported in the Humberside area over
the past year.

On December 27 last year five-year-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 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
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 were not
serious.

Figures released by the Department for Transport show number of pedestrians
injured after being hit by e-scooters was nearly four times higher in 2021
than the previous 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% 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.”

<https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/six-times-more-e-scooter-7126650>

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