It is with sadness that this morning’s news reports that a man in his 30’s is fighting for life after an e-scooter accident on the Gold Coast last night. The precise circumstances of the accident are unknown apart from the fact a motor vehicle was involved.
In 2020 I posted a blog on Lime Scooter safety hazards – https://karelawyers.com.au/lime-scooters-fail-to-disclose-known-safety-hazard/
Two years on there are more e-scooters, both commercially and privately owned, with a correlation in the rising number of injuries and deaths as a result of their use. The use of e-scooters have many advantages including reducing the number of cars on our roads and low operating costs. With the rise in popularity of these eco-friendly scooters, tighter rules should govern their use. Whilst most people ride e-scooters responsibly, there are those who flaunt the rules. Footage has captured riders driving dangerously, drunk and with children without helmets.
The Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister stated to 9News last week that “It’s still a new form of tech and so the rules need to evolve to make it safe”. With respect, Lime Scooters made an appearance in Brisbane in 2018. The rules, and the enforcement of those rules, have not kept pace with the use of this increasingly popular mode of transport. It is reported that new rules being considered by the government include a crack down on drink driving, lowering speed limits and increasing awareness of safe driving through education campaigns.
These are all worthwhile initiatives, but for the time being the e-scooter which was gifted to my sons, will be staying put in my garage.
