The emergence of scooters on the roads of cities and towns throughout the US has prompted the government to make some changes to the law and create new laws which focus solely on these transportation devices.
It is for this reason we have seen a rise in the number of attorneys looking to specialize in this, with many focusing on personal injury law. The likes of Lime scooter injury attorneys support clients who have been involved in an accident on the road whilst using these vehicles, and there is still a lot of legal advancements which are required for this new trend.
With this in mind, we wanted to share with you a few legal facts which you may not be aware of, relating to electric scooters.
Riding on The Road
In many states around the country, it is illegal for a scooter user to ride on the sidewalk. In these states, the scooter rider has the same laws applied as a cyclist. There are however 5 states in which riding a scooter on the sidewalk is perfectly legal.
These states are Arizona, Iowa, Rhode Island, Louisiana, and Virginia. There are also 19 states where riding on the sidewalk is not mentioned in the law, but we have seen police in these states look to discourage users from doing so.
Drink Driving
Simply because you are riding an electric scooter doesn’t mean that you are allowed to consume alcohol and then legally ride. In the overwhelming majority of states, it is made very clear that you cannot be in control of any kind of vehicle if you are under the influence of alcohol.
Some of you may not be aware that this law is also applied to those using a bicycle. Whilst we don’t see too many stops for drunk cycling or scooter riding, the law still stands and the police can charge you if they find you guilty of breaking it.
Maximum Speed
Most states in the country have a strict speed limit in place for these scooters, almost all of which are below any speed limit you are likely to see on the road. The majority of states set their speed limit at 20mph, but some others like California have opted for a slower 15 mph as the limit.
Generally speaking, breaking this law will not be possible with a third-party scooter, as the speed limit is capped. On private scooters, however, breaking this speed limit can result in a fine of up to $250.
Helmet Laws
Something which a lot of campaigners are trying to change is the law around helmets. Currently, it is only necessary for a person who is under the age of 18 to use a helmet. Given the dangers that exist in the event of a collision, however, there are many people who believe that all riders should be forced to use a helmet for their own safety.
The law is changing quickly around this topic, and we can expect to see plenty of updates in the coming months and years.
