Urgent Safety Measures Implemented to Address Increase in Electric Scooter Accidents
The increase in accidents involving electric scooters has raised concerns in Hungary, as reported by Karolina Molnár, Deputy Secretary of State for Strategic Affairs. Speaking at the Safety Week event in Budapest, Ms. Molnár emphasized that electric scooters, pedestrians, and cyclists play a significant role in a considerable number of accidents. She noted that in recent years, pedestrians, cyclists, and electric scooters have been involved in approximately one-third to half of all accidents.
Most of these incidents occur in Budapest, with electric scooter users often being the cause rather than the victims. József Óberling, Head of the Traffic Police Department at the Hungarian Police, highlighted that the number of accidents involving electric scooters is on the rise each month. He mentioned that many scooter drivers are not familiar with the driving dynamics of their vehicles, reaching speeds of 70-80 kilometers per hour despite their limited knowledge of the Highway Code.
Additionally, Mr. Óberling pointed out that a significant number of scooter users do not wear protective gear, increasing the risk of severe injuries. By the end of July, there had already been 320 accidents involving electric scooter drivers in Hungary, accounting for three percent of all road accidents resulting in personal injury.
Furthermore, the lack of specific regulations for electric scooters complicates data collection and efforts to prevent accidents. This issue is not exclusive to Hungary, as the rise in e-scooter accidents is a concern across Europe. While there have been improvements in safety with an increase in e-scooter trips and a decrease in injury rates, fatal incidents remain a risk. It is crucial for stricter regulations and measures to be implemented to ensure the safety of e-scooter riders and other road users.
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