E-scooters are becoming faster and more common, and police are taking notice. In Episode 468 of Driving Law, Kyla Lee and Paul Doroshenko discuss a recent crackdown on e-scooter riders and the potentially serious consequences when a scooter no longer meets BC’s legal requirements.
Kyla and Paul discuss two teenagers who allegedly fled from police on e-scooters and were handed a long list of tickets. They explain why modifying or operating an e-scooter beyond the permitted specifications can potentially put a rider into motor-vehicle territory, bringing licensing, insurance, penalty-point and driving-prohibition consequences that young riders may not expect. They also look at school districts restricting e-scooters and e-bikes amid growing safety concerns.
The conversation then turns from two wheels to four. After reports of drivers apparently sleeping behind the wheel while relying on automated driving technology, Kyla explains why a vehicle’s automated features do not make sleeping while driving legal. Drivers still have legal obligations behind the wheel, including the requirement to exercise due care and attention.
There is no separate Ridiculous Driver of the Week this time. The drivers apparently sleeping behind the wheel while their vehicles travelled down the road earned that distinction themselves.
