Crackdown on electric scooters across South Yorkshire

Roads policing officers’ efforts will today (6 June) be focussed on the illegal and misuse of electric scooters across South Yorkshire.

E-scooters are becoming a fast-growing way of people travelling around, but when they are used illegally and irresponsibly, they pose a real danger to those riding them and pedestrians and drivers.

Officers will be supported by neighbourhoods policing colleagues enforcing against illegal and dangerous users and creating safer streets for everyone.

Leading the work on the operation, sergeant Martyn Micklethwaite from the roads policing group said:

“We are seeing more collisions, more injuries and more lives being put at risk by electric scooters.

“The law is clear- privately owned scooters cannot be used on public roads, pavements, cycle lanes or any other public space. They can only be used on private land, with permission.

“Despite these laws, we are continuing to see widespread misuse, including people travelling at speed in pedestrian areas, riding without lights or safety equipment and children riding unsupervised.

“During our operation, we will be focussing on enforcement and education; we want to prevent injuries, not just enforce the law. We understand that people may buy these machines without understanding the law, and education is a key part of our work, however where riders chose to ignore the rules, we will take action.

“We sadly see the consequences of collisions and the devastation they can cause, and we make no apologies for our priority being keeping people safe.”

Why is this the law?

Electric scooters are classed as powered transporters and fall within the definition of a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act 1998. This means that the same rules apply to electric scooters that apply to other vehicles, including licensing, insurance, MOT and tax.

If you see our officers out and about please feel free to speak to them about any concerns you may have.