We all know that driving while intoxicated is a no-no, but are the lines a bit blurred when it comes to operating a scooter?
The BBC reported that at least 24 people were arrested for this offence in Copenhagen this past weekend when they were caught riding electric scooters while drunk.
Along with the 24 offending riders, four others were also arrested for riding scooters while under the influence of narcotics.
The Scandinavian country recently adapted its policies on the tiny electric vehicles, which has resulted in an increase in electric scooters joining traditional motorists in everyday traffic.
On Friday 5 July, the Københavns Politi (Copenhagen Police) issued a statement regarding the use of electric scooters via its official Twitter account. It appeared that scooter riders needed a bit of a refresher course on the rules of the road, and the Police reminded scooter motorists that the regular rules of the road still applied – especially concerning driving while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.
In a video included in the Copenhagen Police tweet, a demonstration shows a traffic police officer pulling over a scooter operator and making use of a breathalyser to measure the driver’s level of intoxication.
Mange københavnere og turister har taget elektriske løbehjul i brug i trafikken. Husk, at der er nogle færdselsregler, som du skal overholde, hvis du kører på el-løbehjul. Reglerne er lavet for din – og dine medtrafikanters – sikkerhed #politidk pic.twitter.com/grAwAiMxzz
— Københavns Politi (@KobenhavnPoliti) July 5, 2019
Not all Copenhagen locals have taken a liking to the addition of the electric vehicles, citing inconveniences and injuries as the cause of some of their skepticism. Management of scooters and scooter drivers is an emerging concern in other cities that have introduced them as well. In Copenhagen the fine for driving a scooter while under the influence of intoxicating substances is a fee of 2,000 Danish Krone, or about R4,000.
Image: Unsplash
