Drivers of the emerging innovation are in the sights of both officials and medical staff

With the recent rise in the popularity of electric scooters, it is noticeable that this pastime is often the culprit of physical injury. And in some cases, the drivers of such vehicles fall into the limelight of the police.

Although according to statistics provided by Kaunas medical staff, scooter drivers are less involved in traffic accidents than other vehicles, however, in July, Kaunas City Ambulance Station (GMPS) dispatcher received calls reporting injuries caused by 4 people falling from an electric vehicle. scooter. Injuries of all ages "Among those injured were a 16-year-old teenager, a 26-year-old girl, a 38-year-old woman, and a 42-year-old man. All of them applied to Kaunas GMPS dispatcher for a bruising, short-term loss of consciousness and limb fractures, and were presented to Kaunas Clinic Emergency Trauma Center," Donatas Paliulionis, Kaunas County GMPS dispatch administrator and dispatcher, told Kaunas. Patients reportedly suffered similar injuries because they did not wear protective helmets while using electric scooters. The interlocutor said he noticed that not all people who have been injured while traveling by scooter seek medical attention, so the number of victims is likely to be significantly higher than last month's call analysis.

Accident increases in warmer weather The number of injured electric scooter drivers tends to increase during the warm season, as do cyclists, as most people change cars, public transport to scooters, but forget their safety.

When traveling both by scooter and other two-wheeled vehicles, a person must take care of his or her safety and, of course, be visible to other road users," emphasized Mr. Paliulionis. Asked to share tips that could help prevent similar types of accidents, a GMPS spokesman in Kaunas did not hide - although for those over 18, a helmet is only a recommendation, and a specialist would advise anyone to wear it. "Don't forget - the electric scooter can reach 25 km / h. and higher speeds. Falling without a helmet remains a real possibility of serious head injuries. Of course, the wearing of reflective vests must also be mandatory. It is better to be out of fashion but to be visible," added D. Paliulionis.

"We notice that scooters do not climb the scooter and cross the pedestrian crossing, although they should go near the vehicle," said Vigintas Lukošius, Chief of the Kaunas Police Head Police Commissariat (LSC) Road Police Board. The police often also notice another extremely unsafe way of traveling, with not only one adult riding a scooter but a child standing beside it. In this case, the risk of an accident is significantly increased.

KET exceptions do not apply “Electric scooters are assimilated to a motorbike and their drivers have not only the same rights but also responsibilities. They have to follow the Road Traffic Rules (KET) - cycling, cycling and pedestrian paths, bicycle lanes where they do not exist - with a dedicated roadside, ”recalled Kaunas County. Chief of the LSC Road Police Board. As instructed by the KET, the driver of an electric scooter must give way to pedestrians, ie. must not interfere with them or endanger them. Drivers of this type of vehicle must also wear a bright-colored safety vest with reflective fabrics or white light at the front of the bicycle and a red light at the rear when driving on the carriageway. Minors on an electric scooter trip, officials say, are required to wear a safety helmet. During the first half of this year, Kaunas County six accidents involving electric scooters were registered by the police.