Man injured in e-scooter accident in Ilmington reported for not having licence or insurance – police warning on buying e-scooters for Christmas
Warwickshire Police have urged people not to buy electric scooters for Christmas.
It follows an accident involving an e-scooter in Ilmington on 15th November when a 40-year-old man injured himself after falling off – and then faced charges after emergency services were called.
A police spokesperson said: “We responded to a report that a man in his 40s had come of an e-scooter and suffered a head injury. He lost control and crashed on the Stratford Road in Ilmington. The rider suffered a nasty cut to his head, which needed an ambulance and hospital treatment.
“We seized the scooter and reported the rider for driving without insurance and without a driving licence.”
Data for 2021 revealed that nationally there were 1,434 casualties involving e-scooters, including 10 people killed, 421 seriously injured and 1,003 slightly injured.
As well as safety concerns, police are keen to point out it is illegal to use a privately owned e-scooter in a public space including roads, pavements, parks, town centres or canal towpaths.
Sergeant Shaun Bridle said: “We understand that buying an e-scooter as a present can be tempting, especially as you can get them from many popular retailers. However, the law is clear. You can buy one but it is illegal to use a privately-owned e-scooter in any public space.
“The only place a privately-owned e-scooter can be used is on private land.”
E-scooters are classified as Personal Light Electric Vehicles so they are treated as motor vehicles and subject to the same legal requirements such as MOT, licensing, tax and insurance.
