E-scooter rider knocks over an elderly woman
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Drivers have been warned that they are more likely to be held responsible for colliding with an e-scooter, unless they can prove otherwise. Earlier this week, the UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, urged the Government to do much more when it comes to e-scooter legislations. The most recent data from the Department for Transport shows that there has been a 900 percent increase in deaths involving e-scooters in just 12 months.
Motoring experts at Nextbase, the UK’s leading in-car technology manufacturer, have carried out research into the safety of e-scooters and the laws surrounding them.
They found that e-scooter riders are 16 times more likely to be injured in a collision than a car passenger, leaving young and untrained riders vulnerable.
The data also showed that some 70 percent of e-scooter accidents happen during daylight hours, with 80 percent of accidents taking place at busy intersections.
With a lot of confusion surrounding the legislation around e-scooters, drivers will have to pay more attention to the rules.
Bryn Brooker, Head of Road Safety at Nextbase, said: “It will come as no surprise that we have seen an increase in the amount of serious e-scooter collisions from our Dash Cam users since the trail schemes have started, and with forthcoming legislation expected to legalise private e-scooters across the country, we can only see this trend continuing.
“We suggest that motorists take extra time to check their surroundings before they make any manoeuvres, always give e-scooter riders at least 1.5 metres of space when overtaking, and do not alarm them by beeping your horn or speeding up, this is likely to cause riders to lose concentration.”
“We recommend that drivers use dash cams to capture any incident involving an e-scooter.
“This footage is accepted by all UK police forces and major insurance companies as proof of liability, helping protect motorists’ claims where there is a collision with an e-scooter rider.”
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Alert the police
E-scooters are banned from use on footpaths, and for use by anyone under the age of 16.
If drivers spot an e-scooter rider acting illegally or dangerously, they should pull over and alert the police.
Take extra time to check surroundings
With a lack of training and safety equipment, e-scooter riders are particularly at risk on urban roads.
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As e-scooters are also small, fast, and difficult to spot, drivers need to take extra precautions to prevent collisions from occurring.
Motorists should take extra time to check their surroundings. Experts reccomend looking left, right, back, and front – before making manoeuvres, and giving plenty of warning to other road users before turning.
Keep the right distance
Nextbase recommends that when passing or overtaking an e-scooter, drivers should leave at least 1.5 metres distance between the vehicle and the e-scooter.
E-scooters can move quickly, so drivers should use their judgment when passing a speeding or unpredictable rider.
This is especially important during the day, which is when 70 percent of e-scooter accidents happen, as well as at busy intersections.
Install a dash cam
Dash Cams are the best way for drivers to protect themselves against the risks of e-scooters.
As an independent witness, dash cam footage is accepted by all UK police forces and major insurance companies as proof of liability, helping to protect the driver’s no claims bonus in case of a collision with an uninsured e-scooter.
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