[ad_1]
Pedestrian speed and fines for more than one person on the scooter are other possible measures. The state wants to clean up the electrical chaos.
Traffic rules are tightened for electric kick riders. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB scanpix
Wild driving, parking chaos and partly amplified atmosphere at street level. The massive influx of electric scooters in recent years has sparked debate and outrage.
Many have called for stricter regulation, and now Transport Minister Knut Arild Hareide (Kr. F) is meeting with them. Today, a proposal to amend the regulation for small electric vehicles is sent for consultation.
– Electric scooters are a positive contribution to the urban environment and contribute to greater mobility. At the same time, we see great challenges with them, especially since they have become so many, Hareide says.
– In general, it is relevant to make a series of changes in traffic legislation to address the challenges we see, he adds.
This can lead to a fine in the spring if new rules are adopted. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB scanpix
Good and improving?
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has been tasked with studying possible measures in the new regulations. Here are some of the key tips:
- Alcohol limit for riding an electric scooter of 0.2, in line with other motor vehicles.
- A lower age limit of 12 years.
- Require the use of a helmet for children under 15 years of age.
- It is also relevant with a speed limit of 6 km / h (“walking speed”) when passing pedestrians on sidewalks, sidewalks or in pedestrian areas.
- Possibility of imposing a fine on more than one person on the electric scooter.
Veivesenet will also give municipalities a clearer authority to regulate parking and use on public street parcels. The municipality of Oslo, for example, may impose fines for violations.
also read
Copenhagen bans the rental of electric scooters on the street in much of the city
The Norwegian Public Roads Administration and the Ministry of Transport and Communications will clean up the chaos and put in place a series of new traffic regulations. Photo: Siri Øverland Eriksen
Enter a new vehicle category
Until now, electric scooters have fallen between two places in vehicle regulations. Although they circulate on motorcycles, they have been regulated as bicycles.
As part of the cleanup, Veivesenet proposes to create a new category: “small electric motor vehicle”. This is where electric scooters come in, along with, for example, Segways.
This is the reason why the agency proposes an age limit, helmet requirement and speed limit as part of the measures.
– It is important to find a balance. We don’t want to smother a new industry. But we want orderly conditions for all road users, Senior Advisor Annette Hauge of the Norwegian Public Road Administration said in a statement.
This opens up a new series of signs. This, in turn, gives municipalities the opportunity to introduce special zones with a parking ban, speed limit or use ban.
In the memorandum of consultation of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, great emphasis is placed on traffic safety.
Flood damage in the emergency room
The Oslo emergency room has recorded a large number of accidents involving electric scooters.
According to the report of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, a total of 1607 injuries that required treatment in the emergency room were recorded in the period March 2019 to August 2020.
In 4 out of 10 accidents, the use of alcohol and / or other drugs was recorded, according to the report.
This summer, Chief Medical Officer Henrik Siverts of the Oslo Emergency Medical Service came out with a request for a lockout for use at night.
However, Veivesenet does not want a blanket night ban. One argument is that electric scooters are considered a good means of transport at night in the city when buses, trams and subways stop running.
Instead, they advocate a blood alcohol limit, as some players have already suggested.
also read
Scooter Companies Will Stop Drunk Driving With Blood Alcohol Limit And Police
Transport and Communications Minister Knut Arild Hareide hits for a helmet, also on an electric scooter. May be mandatory for users under 15 years of age. Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB scanpix
Wide consultation
It is not clear exactly what rules will be adopted. Proposals for new regulations will be submitted for consultation.
The measures outlined by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration should be seen more as a kind of menu.
– The opinions of the consulting bodies will be an important basis when, after the consultation, I decide which proposals I will proceed with, says Hareide.
In either case, there is a need for further cleaning and tuning next year.
– It is a clear goal that the necessary regulatory changes will be in place by spring 2021, says Hareide.
