“The rising popularity of e-scooters is a clear sign they aren’t going to disappear. We know that people are going to keep using them so the key is making sure that shared spaces like footpaths and bike-lanes are as safe as they can be,” said Transport Minister Mark Bailey.
A teenage boy has died in hospital after being involved in an E-scooter crash at Yarrabilba last Tuesday morning.
Police say the boy was in a critical condition after falling off his E-scooter and hitting his head on the footpath of Basalt Drive but died yesterday at Queensland Children’s Hospital.
They said the incident happened at 8:35 am on Tuesday July 12 with witnesses giving the boy, who sustained critical injuries, CPR and first aid before ambulance officers arrived.
No other people were involved in the incident, but police have urged anyone with dashcam footage or witnesses who haven’t provided statements to come forward as The Forensic Crash Unit and Child Protection and Investigation Unit carry out their investigation.
Other details about the accident are yet to be known.
According to the Queensland government anyone under the age of 16 must have adult supervision when using an e-scooter while a helmet must be worn at all times and the rideable to be only used on footpaths.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey introduced the Personal Mobility Device (PMD) Safety Action Plan back in June which will aim to improve the safety of PMDs as their popularity continues to surge.
The plan will be carried out over the next year and will help to improve welfare for riders.
Safety programs, education and lockouts at high-risk times will be brought in the next three months in an effort to stop using e-scooters while intoxicated.
By the end of the year, the government will introduce new road rules which will include a speed limit of 12 km/h for use on footpaths while fines will see an increase if anyone misuses a PMD.
It’s also been suggested that random breath and saliva testing could be carried out in an effort to crack down on drink and drug riding.
Last year it was reported by the Jamieson Trauma Institute that close to 800 people in Queensland went to the emergency department with a PMD related injury and that over 50 per cent were not wearing a helmet.
A man in his 50s died in Brisbane in July 2021 after his E-scooter collided with a pole.
