The independent Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) has today announced that it has won a Prince Michael International Road Safety Award.
This is in recognition of its innovative research into the safety of private e-scooters in the UK.
There has been huge growth in private e-scooters, with more than 1.3 million having been imported to the UK since 2019. While private e-scooters can legally be sold, they are currently illegal to use on public roads. According to PACTS, the number of casualties has been rising with thirty-one people known to have died, fourteen so far in 2022.
By working with a team of project partners including the NHS, police, legal professionals, head injury charities and representatives from road safety organisations, PACTS has made recommendations for safety regulations. These cover the construction and use of private e-scooters and include a maximum speed limit of 12.5mph and mandatory helmets.
A report by the charity shows that in vital respects e-scooters are different from pedal cycles and should be assessed and regulated based on their attributes.
“The Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards are recognised as the gold standard, and PACTS is delighted to have been honoured with this prize in our 40th anniversary year,” said PACTS Executive Director David Davies.
“Our research has filled a significant gap in knowledge about their [e-scooter] safety.
The UK government had intended to legalise private e-scooters for use on public roads in this parliamentary session. But Zag reported that this decision has now been delayed. “The PACTS recommendations for regulations should be the starting point on which safe legislation is built,” said Davies.
Zag Group welcomes the news as a PACTS member committed to improving road safety, sustainability and modal shift.
