Injuries caused by e-scooters in Derbyshire have been slashed by more than half, following a tough police crackdown on the popular green vehicles.
Officers have been seizing e-scooters on the first offence, with 568 confiscated so far since last November.
Between January and July 2024, 19 injuries were reported in e-scooter collisions, while the same period this year saw just nine cases recorded.
Under UK law, it is illegal to ride a privately owned e-scooter on pavements, roads, or in parks outside of trial areas.
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E-scooters can be seized by police for breaking traffic rules and causing obstructions on UK roads
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DERBYSHIRE POLICE
Inspector Lee Welsby said: “The proactive approach being taken by officers and PCSOs around the county is clearly having an impact.
“The seizures work alongside an educational campaign to prevent people from buying e-scooters without realising they cannot be legally used on public roads or paths.”
Offenders risk fines, penalty points on their driving licence, and seizure of the scooter by police if caught breaking the rules.
E-scooters can only be used on private land with the landowner‘s permission, as well as in trial areas, which have become increasingly popular throughout the UK.
The police have seized hundreds of e-scooters and e-bikes across the area
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DERBYSHIRE POLICE
Official rental e-scooters are allowed on public roads and cycle lanes, but remain prohibited from going on pavements or motorways.
Riders must also have a UK full or provisional driving licence, with rental operators providing third-party motor insurance.
Photos from operations in Derby showed eight e-scooters and nine illegal e-bikes seized in a single day, highlighting the scale of the problem.
Inspector Welsby added: “We know this continues to be a concern for many people who have had near misses with e-scooters in pedestrian areas, but these numbers demonstrate that we are working to tackle this and keep pedestrians, and the e-scooter riders, safe.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
The crackdown has been welcomed by residents, with pedestrians, especially in busy town centres, voicing concerns about near misses with e-scooters on pavements.
E-scooters have been increasingly causing a problem on UK roads throughout the years, with various police operations in place to help tackle the issue.
Across North East Lincolnshire, Humberside Police recently launched targeted days of action over the summer in partnership with Roads Policing and the Department for Transport.
The operation saw 18 reported stolen vehicles recovered, as well as 17 arrests linked to driving offences or vehicle theft and 70 vehicle seizures due to no insurance or licence.
Inspector John Rickells from the Roads Policing Unit said: “I’m really pleased with the results from our targeted days of action over the summer, where our Operation Yokohama motorbikes played a vital role in pursuing offenders.
“There is no place for crime in Humberside, and we’ll do everything we can to ensure those who engage in such behaviour are brought before the courts. Dangerous riding poses serious risks to the public and will not be tolerated.”
Operation Lead Darian Hullett added that compliance was not optional, describing it as “essential”.
He added: “Riders must take responsibility for their actions, and where necessary, officers will intervene to ensure those putting themselves or others at risk are dealt with appropriately.”