Vespa scooters are easy to ride, environmentally friendly, and dangerous to navigate in traffic. Many residents and visitors to Palm Springs ride scooters, with locals riding to work, to school, and to perform daily tasks. In Coachella, electric scooters are available, increasing the number of serious or deadly scooter accidents in the area.
Scooter Accident Risks in Palm Springs: The Risks
Some of the hazards associated with scooters include:
- Underage riders: E-scooters and Vespas have an imposed age requirement of 18, while California requires any traditional motorized scooter to be operated by a person 16 or older. The easy access to e-scooters makes it possible for inexperienced riders to use these vehicles.
- Lack of safety gear: Helmets are required for motorcycles. Helmets are suggested but not required on shared e-scooter services. The risks of riding a scooter in traffic while lacking critical safety gear opens the door to suffering severe injuries in a collision with a vehicle.
- Incorrect usage: Scooters are to be used on streets and roads like other vehicles, whether gas or electric-powered. Using scooters on public sidewalks, park pathways, or other walking areas is illegal.
- Multiple riders: Traveling with two or more people on a single-person scooter increases the risk of severe or fatal injuries in an accident
- Heavy traffic: A Vespa scooter in heavy traffic is more difficult to see due to its smaller profile and can be hit by a vehicle when changing lanes, when making left turns, or when stopped at red lights or stop signs.
