New driving requirements are set to be introduced today which could see thousands of motorists needing to input their licence information when using electric scooters.
From today, December 5, any person riding an electric scooter as part of the Government trials must provide their name and driving licence number, whether they are a new or existing user.
In addition, they will have to submit a photograph of the front of their driving licence under new plans to ensure there is a minimum standard of verification to use the urban mobility vehicles.
There are more than 30 active Government electric scooter trials across the UK, with many seeing the vehicles as an option for commuters to cut down on the use of cars.
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Operators of the e-scooter trials schemes must ensure they have robust systems in place for capturing licence information, as well as storing it securely.
This is being done to ensure data can be given to the police if it has been requested, either via a third-party provider or through the operators themselves.
Further new requirements are being introduced to ensure that licence checking software, or customer service team checks, are used to check the validity of driving licences.
Riders of electric scooters will also see changes to their experience when using apps, with the vital information now being included.
This will include the relevant age limit for the trial and the rule that the person riding the e-scooter must hold a valid driving licence.
Zoe Fisher, serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, commented on the new changes, saying that the new regulations could improve safety for riders and other road users.
She added: “Through my work as a serious injury lawyer I too often see the devastating impact road collisions can have and how clients are often left needing specialist support and rehabilitation.
“We can be hopeful that legislation coming into force on December 5 is a positive step in the right direction in order to protect the safety of e-scooter users and other road users.
“However, the vulnerability of e-scooter users remains a concern.
“Calls for e-scooter training and education have arisen from various sources in order to further encourage safe e-scooter usage and protect the safety of all road users.”
In 2022, data found that there were 1,402 collisions involving e-scooters, with 356 users being seriously injured, 782 being slightly injured and 12 people being killed.
There is optimism from road safety experts, including Zoe Fisher, that the new rules will cut down on the number of younger, and potentially more unsafe riders and boost road safety for all.
The Government has warned people about the risks they face if they use an e-scooter illegally including a fine, penalty points and the e-scooter could be impounded.
Privately owned e-scooters cannot be used in public, with the “powered transporters” being illegal to use without a number of legal requirements like number plates, insurance and lights.
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The new changes will aim to cut down on the number of young riders
PA
Some experts have called on the Government to introduce new guidance to allow for the widespread adoption of e-scooters across the UK, with further information set to be unveiled next April.
