BROMSGROVE’S police inspector has issued a letter to parents and guardians regarding the legality of e-scooters and other electric vehicles.
Inspector Rich Field’s letter – which has been circulated around schools – aims to inform responsible parents and carers on the complexity of electric vehicle legality and their usage.
Despite being legal to purchase, e-scooters and hoverboards (self balancing scooters) are classed as motor vehicles under UK legislation and are therefore required to be taxed, insured, have an MOT and be driven by riders with driving licenses.
The letter explains how previous government funded e-scooter trials in Redditch, Birmingham and across the rest of the UK have created confusion around the use of the vehicles.
It also notes that it is not currently possible to obtain insurance for e-scooters despite the legal requirement for their use on public roads, and as a result the vehicles can only be used on private property with the land owners permission.
There are currently no government funded trials on e-scooters in the West Mercia Policing region meaning police have powers to confiscate and destroy them.
The letter also outlines how parents could be committing offences if allowing their children to ride e-scooters without a license or insurance.
Inspector Rich Field states the letter aims to educate the community on the risks of using e-scooters in public places and hopes the letter will reduce the police’s necessity to take action against their unlawful use.
He is also seeking support from parents and guardians in safeguarding children and young people to help reduce the risk of harm to them or other vulnerable road users.
Rich Field told the Standard: “The main focus is just to reinforce the prevention message around e-scooters.
“Of course it’s not our intention to use enforcement against children but clearly there’s an issue with e-scooter usage in public places and we need to reinforce the laws.
“We want to support schools and other partners to provide education for young people about the dangers.”
In recent weeks, Inspector Rich Field – who also oversees Redditch – has been organising task force’s to tackle the use of e-scooters in his policing region, leading to the confiscation of many of the vehicles.
