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Vytenis Almonaitis, a professor at the Vilnius University Institute of Dentistry, warns that we have another “epidemic” in Lithuania. Talk about missing teeth in accidents, broken jaws.
Therefore, it is not surprising that the new version of the Road Traffic Regulations includes signs that prohibit the use of electric scooters.
ALSO READ: The government has enacted amendments to the KET: “Dviračių gatvės”, electric scooter traffic bans will appear.
This year, one and two scooter drivers were killed last year.
The data from the traffic police are as eloquent as the irony of the dentist V. Almonaitis. This year (January-August 2021), electric scooter drivers were involved in 145 traffic accidents. 152 people were injured. Electric scooter riders themselves are most often affected. But there are also injured pedestrians, another electric scooter passenger, as well as cyclists.
According to preliminary data, the driver of 1 electric scooter died this year (in Šiauliai, a 34-year-old man).
Compared to the previous year, that is, in 2020: 99 traffic accidents, 101 people were injured and 2 electric scooter drivers died throughout the year. June A 62-year-old man riding an electric scooter died in Panevėžys. And in September, a 14-year-old boy driving an electric scooter was fatally hit by a car in the Klaipėda district of Slengių village.
Thus, in 2021. and a record number of accidents and injured scooters.
In 2019, there were “only” 64 traffic accidents with scooters and 67 people injured.
VIDEO: A risky scooter ride was filmed in Kaunas
Why do scooter accidents happen?
Practice shows that electric scooter drivers behave quite irresponsibly, are undisciplined, endangering not only themselves, but also others, especially when driving on sidewalks, pedestrian and bicycle lanes, as well as in squares and parks, according to the traffic police.
Traffic accidents occur due to non-compliance with the Traffic Rules.
Another important nuance: the electric scooter must be built (left standing) in such a way that it does not obstruct other road users, does not fall, since it can endanger, for example, passing through a road where another vehicle can collide with the. .measure.
The most common KET violations by scooter riders
Violations of traffic rules by drivers of electric scooters:
1. Drive through a crosswalk (it is mandatory to get off and take an electric skateboard through the crossing). Note: It is possible to ride an electric scooter through a bicycle crossing.
2. Do not display the warning sign (turn right, left, stop) by hand.
3. Undisciplined circulation on the pedestrian and bicycle path, sidewalk, where the cyclist must give way to pedestrians, not obstruct them, not represent a danger.
4. Failure to maintain a safe distance from another vehicle, pedestrian.
5. Ignore traffic control signs.
6. Failure to follow priority rules when exiting a side road (for example, a yard) when turning left. Unexpected (sudden) turn to the left (also to the right).
7. A safe driving speed is not selected, making it impossible to control it if necessary.
8. There are cases in which this vehicle is driven by an intoxicated person.
Adults don’t care about their children
Police officers emphasize not only the careless behavior of minors, but also the lazy attitude of adults when children are allowed to ride electric scooters even though they cannot do so depending on their age.
Adults also carry a child with an electric scooter; this is strictly prohibited. A person can use an electric scooter, unless a special seat is provided for the transport of a passenger.
What should be considered an electric scooter and what – a motorcycle?
Electric scooters (maximum net power not more than 1 kW, maximum design speed not more than 25 km / h) are classified as motorcycles, so the person driving the electric scooter must meet the requirements specified in Chapter VIII of the Road Traffic Regulation (Requirements for cyclists). The most powerful electric scooters (for example, filmed by a reader in Kaunas) can be attributed to motorcycles, so other requirements of the rules apply to them.
What an electric scooter rider should know
1. People of at least 14 years of age will be allowed to circulate on the road on an electric scooter. Those who have attended the prescribed training course and have a certificate issued by the school, for persons aged at least 12 years. Under the supervision of an adult, people at least 8 years old can drive on the road. There is no age limit for electric scooter drivers in the residential area.
2. The electric scooter must have a suitable brake, an acoustic signal and suitable reflectors must be installed.
3. The rider of an electric scooter under the age of 18 must wear and wear a safety helmet when driving on the road.
4. Cycle lanes, pedestrian and bicycle paths, or bicycle lanes, if not available, are allowed on the sidewalk.
5. It is mandatory to circulate on the bike lane or bicycle lane as close as possible to the right edge of the road or lane. If there is a horizontal mark (bicycle symbol) on a pedestrian and bicycle lane or sidewalk marked with a part of the road (sidewalk) intended for bicycle traffic, the electric scooter rider should ride only on it and as close to his right. edge as possible.
6. In places where traffic is regulated by traffic lights, drivers of electric scooters must observe the traffic lights with the symbol of a bicycle and, failing that, the traffic lights.
7. When approaching a point where it is necessary to cross a road, speed must be reduced in all cases and movement can only be resumed if it is certain that the journey is safe and that other road users will not be disturbed.
Electric scooter riders are not allowed.
– Cross the road with an electric scooter through the pedestrian crossing.
– Take the passenger (s) as the electric scooter does not have special seats.
– Drive without at least one hand on the steering wheel of the electric scooter.
– Driving in other vehicles, etc.
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