Warning Issued Over E-Scooter Use After Child Breaks Rules in Wiltshire
Police in Wiltshire are cautioning parents after a child was caught riding an e-scooter, highlighting the legal restrictions in place.
Calne, Wiltshire, UK, E-Scooter, Law, Children
Calne: Recently, police had to step in when they spotted a boy riding an e-scooter on Church Street. They issued him a formal warning.
Since the year kicked off, officers have noticed quite a few kids with e-scooters. They’re reminding parents to get clued up on the rules before buying one for their kids.
So, here’s the deal: e-scooters are considered Personal Light Electric Vehicles. This means they’re treated like motor vehicles, which comes with a bunch of legal stuff like needing an MOT, insurance, and all that jazz.
But here’s the catch: e-scooters don’t have number plates or proper lights, so you can’t legally ride them on the roads. It’s also a no-go to use privately-owned e-scooters in public spaces like pavements or parks in the UK.
The only time you can ride one is on private land, and only if the landowner says it’s cool. Police are taking this seriously and will keep engaging with riders to make sure they know the law.
They’ve made it clear that if someone keeps breaking the rules, their e-scooter could be taken away, and they might get reported. PCSO Mark Cook mentioned that they’ve been focusing on this issue after hearing concerns from the community.
Last year, they handed out several warnings, but it seems some parents might not have taken the advice seriously. If kids are caught riding, they’ll get a warning, and parents will be informed. If it keeps happening, the e-scooter will be seized, and there could be further consequences.