Warning over illegal use of E-scooters ahead of Christmas

As part of our drink drive campaign, we’re urging the public to take a taxi, not an e-scooter.

In the last few years, the popularity of e-scooters has grown – it’s seen as a fun gift for young people, but there’s a serious side too.

Privately owned e-scooters remain illegal to use on roads and pavements. In fact, the only place they can be used is on private land and with the landowner's permission.

Of course, you can use an approved company e-scooter at several sites across the county without worrying, but we’d ask you to think again before buying an e-scooter or hopping on one to get home after a night out.

Proactive patrols

In an attempt to keep everyone safe this Christmas, we’ll be proactively patrolling the roads, targeting drink drivers and that includes anyone using an e-scooter to get home after a night out.

They’re not a toy and we need people to understand the legal implications of using one on a road or pavement.

We must ensure those using e-scooters do not pose a risk to the public or themselves due to their presence on public highways and pavements.

We don’t want anyone to be disappointed on Christmas morning when they find out that they can’t test ride their new e-scooter for the first time in a public area. Or even worse, it’s seized because road-use is illegal.

We also want to educate owners of privately owned e-scooters and all riders ahead of time, that it’s illegal to use an e-scooter whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs – it’s the same as getting behind the wheel of a car and drink driving – and neither will be tolerated.

Where there is use of privately-owned e-scooters in public areas, or evidence of other offences, we will take appropriate enforcement action.

This includes e-scooter seizure and riders being reported for driving offences.

Read more on the use of e-scooters here: Advice on using e-scooters

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For advice on how to stay safe and protect your home, yourself, your business and your vehicles from crime, please visit our crime prevention pages.

You can also find out more general information about crime, the law and staying safe on our advice and information pages.