98 percent of e-scooter drivers do not blink or give a hand signal, 15 percent drive on the sidewalk despite the ban and every eighth drive over the traffic light even if the traffic light is red, according to an evaluation by the German Road Safety Board (KFV ). The risk of injury is correspondingly high: last year 3,600 people were injured in accidents involving the devices.
According to the KFV, only two percent of users blink with their eyes or give a hand gesture when turning. One reason for this may be that hand gestures, especially with lightweight models, require much more skill than cycling. In addition, it is not mandatory to equip e-scooters with turn signals, explained KFV traffic expert Ernestine Mayer at a media event in Vienna on Tuesday.
“People with e-scooters without turn signals should definitely practice giving hand signals in the secured area and slowing down – especially when approaching intersections. When purchasing a new vehicle, it is highly recommended to switch to models with turn signals , two brakes and a horn or bell – also to be prepared for any future changes in the law,” says Klaus Robatsch, Head of Road Safety at KFV. Vienna is a pioneer here: this equipment is already mandatory for rental e-scooters from next Monday, May 1.
Most without helmets
The KFV also sees potential for improvement in the helmet wearing rate, which is only 17 percent among e-scooter owners and only 1 percent among rental e-scooter users. “The risk of skull/brain injury in an accident without a helmet is 11 times higher than with a helmet, as we know from similar studies with e-bikes,” said Mayer.
“Our minimum requirement for the legislator is the introduction of a helmet requirement for all e-scooters or the reduction of the maximum allowed speed,” Robatsch affirmed and appealed to the common sense of those involved: “Wear a helmet voluntarily and bear in mind Please note that in a number of situations – for example at intersections, on a wet road surface, in meeting zones – you have to drive significantly slower than 25 km/h.”
Often too fast on the road
In June and July 2022, the speeds of free-moving e-scooters in traffic in Vienna were measured by NAST Consulting on behalf of KFV. A total of 1017 e-scooters were examined at more than 20 measuring locations in the Vienna city area. “The average speed of e-scooters has increased from 15 to 18 km/h in 2022 compared to 2019. In pedestrian areas, the average speed was 16 km/h, although only five km/h is allowed, and even on sidewalks driven an average of twelve km/h, although there is a complete driving ban there,” reports the traffic expert.
Most accidents are self-inflicted
Incidentally, 66 percent of all injured e-scooter drivers had an accident in a single accident last year, 25 had a vehicle as the counterparty to the accident, with 75 percent of all accidents being the fault of the e-scooter drivers themselves. The main causes of the accident were a misjudgment of the soil conditions, as well as carelessness and distraction, reports the KFV. 23 percent of the injured e-scooter drivers also had an accident on the pedestrian infrastructure, where they are not allowed to drive according to traffic rules.
Source: Krone
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