Greek Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis said in an interview with SKAI that new measures are being examined to regulate the use of e-scooters, following growing concern over road safety.
Asked about recent accidents involving children, Chrysochoidis said he had recently expressed his personal view in favour of a full ban for minors, adding that the authorities must find a way for all forms of transport to move safely.
Measures under review
“This is a particularly difficult issue to handle,” he said. “It is an environmentally friendly means of transport, and we must find a way for it to operate at a level of safety.”
According to the minister, the first measure under consideration is a ban on e-scooter use by minors.
He also raised the issue of compulsory insurance, saying that if someone is hit by an e-scooter, it is currently unclear who would compensate them.
“Accidents are increasing. Where will someone go to find justice? Compulsory insurance is needed,” he said.
Chrysochoidis also criticised the way rental scooters are often abandoned on pavements, saying businesses must respect public space.
“This phenomenon, with scooters being left on pavements, preventing people from moving, with dozens or hundreds of scooters on central roads, must come to an end,” he said.
Speed limits and parking controls
The minister said traffic police checks are being stepped up, while speed limiters are also being considered.
“A car travelling at 50 kilometres per hour needs 15 metres to stop. Think what that means for a scooter. So speed limiters must be introduced. That is another issue,” he said.
Chrysochoidis also said municipalities must take action on scooter parking and, where necessary, limit the number of permits issued to operators so that cities can function while respecting pedestrians.
The discussion comes after a 13-year-old child was killed while riding an e-scooter in Ilia last week. On Thursday, a 12-year-old boy was seriously injured in Aspropyrgos and remains in critical condition.
Source: iefimerida.gr
