What you need to remember when going for a walk on an electric scooter

The cities are filled with electric transport - scooters, gyro scooters, unicycles, segways and other newfangled devices. There are especially many of them in the summer, when the number of people who want to drive at speed under a warm breeze increases sharply. Pedestrians are unhappy: at any second, some smart guy on an electric scooter can emerge from behind. Moreover, teenagers are sometimes behind the wheel, in whom the instinct of self-preservation is still absent, and therefore they are not afraid of risk. Together with the traffic police inspectors, we looked at the speed at which they drive on fashionable vehicles, and checked whether teenagers are aware of the changes in traffic rules.

The company during today's raid will be made up of inspectors of the road safety unit of the UGAI Main Internal Affairs Directorate of the MINSK City Executive Committee, police captain Yevgeny Berdnik and senior lieutenant Nikolai Bobrovsky. The first stopping point is Victory Park, the unspoken Mecca of fans of electric transport. A luxurious black electric scooter with a bright red edging and a display showing speed and battery charge is rushing towards us. Its owner, Jan, is 14 years old.

- The scooter speeds up to 55 kilometers per hour. The optics are excellent, the seat is comfortable. Riding it is a pleasure, - says the teenager.

He assures that he always observes the rules of traffic rules:

Who needs trouble? Not only do I drive according to the rules, but I advise others to do the same. Yes, I heard that new traffic rules will come into effect in six months. In general, I got acquainted with them, I think that the decision on "espeems" was made absolutely correct.

At the bus stop, we notice a young man and a girl with an electric scooter, who are talking about something vividly. We are interested in whether they are aware of the upcoming changes in the traffic rules regarding electric transport. And we get an answer that surprises us all. Ilya, a student of gymnasium No. 36 in Minsk, tells about innovations by heart and even names the number of the document where they are registered!

- I am familiar with Presidential Decree No. 145 aimed at improving the culture of road users, reducing the number of accidents and stimulating the use of electric vehicles. It includes electric scooters, gyroscooters, unicycles, segways and other equipment. The permitted speed is not higher than 25 km/h. It will be possible to use electric transport from the age of 14, although this rule does not apply to residential and pedestrian areas - the young man seemed ready to give a whole lecture on the use of SPMs.

In the Kamennaya Gorka area we meet a mother who went for a walk with her three children. Brother and sister take turns riding around the yard. Naturally, under the supervision of a parent. And the youngest, who is only two and a half years old, still only dreams of "steer".

The guys listen attentively to Inspector Yevgeny Berdnik, who reminds them of safe driving. Mom joins the conversation:

- My children are obedient and independent. They study well, I’m calm for them, but I still don’t allow them to ride alone. I do not like that dashing scooters ride where they want and how they want, do not follow the rules and endanger themselves and other people. Of course, it is necessary to regulate this process. It is right that clarifications on children and adolescents have been introduced into the law. Agree, a 7-year-old child, even on a bicycle, can accidentally drive off a hill onto a road with vehicles. He still does not have a sense of fear, and sometimes no experience that would warn against such a step. Adolescents from the age of 14, although much older, but they also need restrictions. They have nothing to do on the road.

... Returning from the raid, we discuss with the inspectors the "plots" we saw. We are glad that we did not meet malicious violators. Except that on Pushkin Avenue a couple of boys on one electric scooter raced at a decent speed and disappeared into the yards in the blink of an eye. We come to the conclusion that over time, questions regarding the implementation of new traffic rules, of course, will still appear. For example, how to measure the speed of movement of the same scooter? With radar? Or how to understand how old a scooter owner is - 11 or 14? Outwardly, it is sometimes difficult to determine the age. Probably, there is no need to harbor illusions that immediately after the introduced amendments with the same "espeems" everything will work out. But it's time to put things in order. And the first, very confident and timely step in this direction has been taken.

DIRECTOR of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Traumatology and Orthopedics Mikhail Gerasimenko:

- Injuries associated specifically with light-engine or scooter vehicles have become more frequent, when children ride uncontrollably on the streets. Often they fall off scooters or get injured from jumping off curbs while exercising. At the same time, none of the victims had any equipment. The most vulnerable places in children are the arms, forearms, and in adults, the shins, thighs and hip joints. If they had protection, there would not have been such serious deformations and serious consequences, fractures. When falling in adults and children, a concussion is often diagnosed. This is the most vulnerable place after the arms and legs. The consequences of traumatic brain injury can be very deplorable and remain for life.

If the injury does occur and you see any change or deformity of the body part, fix it in the position in which it ended up. Do not take your child to a medical facility on your own. This could be a fatal mistake. Call the special assistance services on 103, which will take the victim to the right place.

Deputy HEAD of the Main Department - Head of the Department of Organizational Work and Enforcement of Law Enforcement Activities of the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Zanimon:

- In recent years, personal mobility tools have begun to be actively introduced into life. Obviously, these devices have a great future. However, those traveling on vehicles with electric traction sometimes become participants in an accident. Belarus has adopted uniform rules for driving electric scooters, hoverboards and other similar devices. President of Belarus ALEXANDER LUKASHENKO signed Decree No. 145 "On improving the organization of road traffic", which will come into force on October 27, 2022 and is aimed, among other things, at this area. When developing the bill, the experience of France, Germany, Sweden, and the nearest neighboring countries was studied. The purpose of the innovations is to create comfortable conditions for everyone to move around.

Of course, it is necessary to regulate the movement of electric vehicles, but it is worth starting with the culture of driving in general.

Alexander Shevchenko, head of the department for ensuring law enforcement activities of the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Belarus:

- Travelers on electric scooters, gyro scooters, segways are now equated to pedestrians. MPVs will not be considered vehicles. However, they must have serviceable brakes and steering. In the dark, a person needs to have a flicker, a flashlight must be turned on on the SPM. Protective helmet - on recommendation. It is strictly forbidden to use SPM on the roadway. It is allowed to ride on the bike path, and in its absence - on the sidewalk, without creating obstacles for pedestrians.

Age restrictions have also been introduced: movement on the SPM - from the age of 14. The exception is courtyard and residential areas where small children can also ride. Speed ​​- less than 25 km / h. Do not operate these devices while under the influence of ALCOHOL or other intoxication. It is impossible to carry passengers if it is not provided for by the design. An exception is for devices with additional, specially equipped seats.

It is allowed to cross the carriageway on means of personal mobility at the speed of a walking pedestrian, making sure that the exit (exit) to the carriageway is safe.

Veronika Romankova, head of the department of the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs:

- With the onset of summer holidays, the growth of traffic accidents involving minors increases. The guys spend more time on the street, go out of town and sometimes, breaking away from parental control, get into trouble. Only at the moment, 116 road accidents have occurred involving children, in which 119 children were injured, 6 died. Pedestrians remain the most vulnerable category of road users. I want to remind you that every parent should know where and with whom his child spends time. To ensure his safety is the task of us adults. A personal example is the best form of teaching children the rules of safe behavior.

How to teach your child road safety:

- on the street, hold him tightly by the hand;

- when approaching a pedestrian crossing or a carriageway, teach children to look around, let approaching vehicles pass, start moving only after all cars have stopped;

- develop observation in your child, explain to him that it is dangerous to go out sharply from behind bushes, trees, standing vehicles.

Angelina SVETLOVA,

newspaper.