West Yorkshire Police is running an e-scooter week of action as part of a drive to engage, explain and encourage members of the public around the lawful use of the vehicles.
During the week of action (30 January-5February 2023) officers from the Roads Policing Unit and district patrol and neighbourhood policing teams will be recording and collating all warnings and enforcement action taken in relation to the vehicles, which cannot legally be ridden on a UK public road, pavement or cycle lane.
E-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles (PLEVs), so they are treated as motor vehicles and subject to the same legal requirements, such as:
- MOT
- Licensing
- Tax
- Insurance
As e-scooters do not have numberplates, signalling ability and do not always have visible rear lights, they cannot be used legally on the roads. The only place an e-scooter can be used is on private land, with the permission of the landowner.
Inspector Chris Robinson, of West Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Unit, said:
“Sadly, nationally there have been a number of fatal and serious injury collisions involving e-scooters. Many of these collisions have involved children. This week of action is around working with children and parents alike to engage, educate and encourage those illegally using e-scooters to stop using them on roads and public spaces.
“There is of course a fourth ‘e’ – enforce. Where someone has already been warned about the illegal use of an e-scooter or is using the e-scooter in an otherwise anti-social or dangerous manner then we will look to seize the vehicle and take enforcement action.
“We don’t want to be unnecessarily taking away e-scooters that may have been purchased as Christmas presents or similar, but owners need to be aware that they should only be used on private land. This is all about making our roads safer for everyone.”
The government is currently running trials of rental e-scooters which are insured and can be used on roads and cycle lanes. There are not currently any trials taking place in West Yorkshire.
You can find more information about the law regarding e-scooters at: Powered transporters – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This post is based on a press release issued by West Yorkshire Police
Photo: Shutterstock
Whilst you’re here, can we ask a favour?
South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper – up 83% this year.
Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?
Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe
My friend lives in Leeds 15 and says there are numerous young boys using these on the roads especially when it’s dark and he’s seen a few nearly collide with cars and buses. Think people should have to take some kind of test before going on one of these
Well done West Yorkshire Police, but let’s not sugar coat this. The penalties are severe! If you don’t have a licence, or the correct licence, or are riding without insurance you could face a Fixed Penalty notice with a £300 fine and six penalty points on your licence for having no insurance. Up to £100 fine and three to six penalty points for riding without the correct licence. And you could also be committing an offence if you’re caught riding on a pavement which can earn you Fixed Penalty Notice and possible £50 fine. Using a mobile phone or other handheld mobile device while riding could cost £200 and six penalty points and riding through red lights; a Fixed Penalty Notice, £100 fine and possible penalty points. For drink driving, it’s the same as if you were driving a car: you could face court imposed fines, a driving ban and possible imprisonment. And if you’re using an e-scooter in public in an antisocial manner, you can also risk the e-scooter being seized under section 59 of the Police Reform Act. And in case you’re thinking that it’s OK because you don’t yet have a licence, the points will sit on your account until you do, which means that when you decide to go legal your insurance premiums will be ASTRONOMICAL. Just a thought, if you want to get about legally and safely, take a CBT and then get an electric moped or scooter. They are faster and safer than e-Scooters, the cost is not that much higher and they are very cheap to run.