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Date Published: 25/03/2024

Torrevieja puts the brakes on electric scooters with a new campaign and fresh fines

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The Costa Blanca city registers 100 accidents involving scooters each year

Torrevieja puts the brakes on electric scooters with a new campaign and fresh fines

On Friday March 22, Torrevieja City Council announced the launch of a new campaign to improve road safety for users of electric scooters, also known as personal mobility vehicles (VMP). This comes after a concerning number of accidents involving scooters were recorded in the Costa Blanca city, with at least 100 of the 1,300 accidents in 2023 involving this type of vehicle.

New national regulations implemented in January have given rise to the Torrevieja campaign. Since the beginning of the year, all newly-sold VMPs must be certified and meet certain technical requirements set by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT). These requirements include carrying a factory marking on the back of the vehicle with the maximum speed, serial number, certificate number, year of construction, make and model. Existing VMPs have until 2027 to obtain this certification.

To educate riders, and especially younger people, about the new regulations, the city council is holding talks in high schools and preparing information brochures that outline the penalties for breaking the rules and offer recommendations for safe driving practices. Some of the key guidelines for electric scooter users include:

Do not wear headphones or use mobile devices while driving
Do not drive on footpaths, pedestrian areas or in parks
Wearing a helmet and having insurance is strongly recommended
Being pulled by another vehicle is prohibited
Only one person per scooter is allowed

Traffic controls will be conducted to enforce these regulations, and fines of up to 1,000 euros can be issued for serious offenses such as refusing to take a breathalyzer test or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Other penalties include 80 euros for driving through pedestrian zones, 200 euros for failing to respect pedestrian priority and 90 euros for driving with more than one occupant.

According to head of the Local Police, Óscar Cartón, the goal of these controls is to raise awareness and promote safer driving habits among VMP users.

"The objective is to reduce the infractions committed by users; it is a training task. But if the violation continues, a fine will be imposed," he said.

Find all the latest motoring and travel news here or join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for regular updates

Images: Ayuntamiento de Torrevieja

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