E-scooter riders can't be done for drink-driving

Monday, 31 December 2018

Lime scooters have taken over the nation, but what are the rules for drinking and riding?

Drink, be merry and ride an e-scooter? Turns out you can't be done for drink-driving on Lime scooters, but if you're all over the footpath or road, don't expect to get off scot-free.

Motorised Lime scooters have taken New Zealand by storm since their introduction in October and Kiwis have taken more than 500,000 trips on them.

A police spokeswoman said riders cannot get arrested for drink-driving on Lime e-scooters, because the charge only applies to motor vehicles and these scooters are not classified as that.

However, she said poor behaviour on a scooter, including after drinking, could lead to a charge of careless use of a vehicle.

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The same rules apply to a bicycle.

And because the e-scooters aren't classified as motor vehicles, riders cannot be issued speeding tickets. But, again, excess speed could lead to a careless driving charge.

'Police encourage all users of vehicles, whether motor vehicles, bicycles, skateboards, or e-scooters, to use them safely and at a speed which takes into account other users of roads or pedestrian spaces, posted speed limits and the conditions which exist around them,' the police spokeswoman said.

Helmets aren't compulsory on the scooters, but Lime encourages riders to wear them.

The scooters are allowed on footpaths and the road, but not in designated cycle lanes.

E-scooters have come under fire since they were introduced due to concerns about people injuring themselves, people misusing them and children riding them.

Lime rental scooters are available in Auckland and Christchurch.