The Russian Minister of Internal Affairs, Vladimir Kolokoltsev, has received a proposal to create a specialized e-scooter police unit.
According to Lenta This initiative, suggested by State Duma Deputy Vladislav Davankov, aims to regulate the increasing issues associated with electric scooters.
Patrol Pedestrian and Public Zones
The proposed inspection unit would focus on penalizing dangerous driving behaviors such as speeding, driving under the influence, ignoring traffic signals and road markings, and disorderly parking of e-scooters in pedestrian and public areas.
The primary goal, as Davankov envisions, would be to patrol pedestrian and public zones to ensure compliance with traffic rules by e-scooter and e-bike riders.
Rising Incidents Involving E-Scooters
E-scooter accidents have become a frequent issue in Russia, often involving collisions with pedestrians.
In June 2024, a six-year-old boy in Saint Petersburg was hit by an e-scooter on his birthday, resulting in a concussion, chest contusion, and broken ribs.
The rider fled the scene. Similarly, in Kaluga, an e-scooter rider knocked over a woman and her infant at high speed, causing moderate injuries to both before escaping without offering help.
Public Safety Concerns
With the increasing popularity of e-scooters, there is a growing concern for public safety.
The proposed e-scooter police would address these concerns by enforcing stricter regulations and ensuring that riders adhere to traffic laws, thereby reducing the number of accidents and promoting safer use of e-scooters in public areas.
