Little-known road rule could see you lose your licence without driving a car
Australians are being reminded to read-up on e-scooter rules in their jurisdiction, to avoid being caught-out.
E-scooters remain a divisive mode of transport in Australia, with some states moving to ban them in cities entirely, while others insist they're sustainable and an eco-friendly way to travel — even offering incentives to increase uptake.
While most people know it's important to wear a helmet when hopping on one of the electric devices, there are a number of other rules that could land you in hot water, if you're caught breaking them.
Just like if you break the law in a car, Aussies can face heavy penalties, including fines, court appearances, and the potential loss of your driver’s licence for e-scooter offences, Sydney lawyer Jess Lyons told Yahoo News Australia.
She said while losing a licence may seem extreme, it's important to remember that "if you wouldn’t do it in a car or a motorbike, you shouldn’t be doing it on an e-scooter".
"It’s not just the things that may seem obvious like being over the limit, or speeding. Even not wearing a helmet, or riding a privately owned e-scooter in an undesignated area for it, can incur serious penalties," Lyons told Yahoo. "It’s been publicly reported that two people have lost their licence so far for breaking road rules while on an e-scooter.
"In our role, we see more the result of crashes or accidents that occur, or the outcome of potentially dangerous behaviour on a scooter."
E-scooter rules depend on where you live in Australia
Specific regulations regarding the use of e-scooters largely varies from state to state — with Aussies encouraged to read up on the rules in their jurisdiction before hopping on — but there are some across-the-board laws we all should know about.
"Not everyone is aware that what may be legal in one state is not in another. And, since an e-scooter can seem like a novelty, people forget that there is still a risk when it comes to using them," Lyon explained.
"I see every day the consequences of what happens when people become complacent or don’t follow the road rules, and it applies just as much to e-scooters as it does to cars. We all have a responsibility to keep each other safe on the road.
"As they become a more normal part of our lives we should remember that we take on the same responsibility when we get on an e-scooter that we take when we get into a car. It’s a growing form of transport, and we continue to see crashes reported every day."
In all states and territories the rules regarding alcohol and drug use are effectively the same as those for motor vehicle drivers.
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"Riders must not have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeding 0.05 or be under the influence of illicit substances. In Queensland, riders can be charged if their BAC exceeds 0.15, and in all states, this can lead to fines, court appearances, and the loss of your driver’s license," Lyons said.
Similar speed restrictions are also in place across most states. In Queensland, WA, and ACT e-scooters are permitted to travel at a maximum speed of 25km/h on bike paths, shared paths, and local roads, with reduced limits on footpaths.
In NSW and SA, privately owned e-scooters are not permitted on public roads or paths. In Victoria, e-scooters are banned within the City of Melbourne — which encompasses the CBD and inner-city — but Victorians will still to be able to use them in other areas. The ban does not affect privately owned e-scooters.
In Tasmania permit holders can use e-scooters to travel up to 15km/h on footpaths and 25km/h on roads and cycle paths.
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