Police Chief Warns Parents: Fines and Licence Points for Kids Using E-Scooters
Thames Valley Police Chief Constable Jason Hogg has issued a stern warning to parents, stating that they could face fines of up to £300 and receive points on their driving licence if their children are found using e-scooters. Hogg revealed that the police force is planning a crackdown on e-scooters, emphasizing that they are effectively illegal for public use.
During a meeting of Wokingham Borough Council, Hogg urged parents to refrain from purchasing e-scooters as Christmas presents. The only permissible use of e-scooters in public is within council rental schemes.
Similar to cars, e-scooter drivers must possess a licence, insurance, and tax to operate them on British roads, and their use on pavements is strictly prohibited. Hogg highlighted the current lack of insurance availability for privately owned e-scooters, making their use illegal on roads and in public spaces.
“We are going to be moving to enforcement very, very quickly,” Hogg asserted during the council meeting. He outlined plans to prosecute parents for lack of insurance in January and to swiftly seize numerous e-scooters.
The penalties for this offense mirror those for driving without insurance, amounting to a £300 fine and six points on the driving licence, or an unlimited fine and disqualification if the case proceeds to court.
Hogg announced an upcoming police publicity campaign to discourage parents from purchasing e-scooters as Christmas gifts, emphasizing the swift enforcement measures that will be implemented.
