Teenage girl found guilty of driving offence relating to an e-scooter in Letchworth

Parents are being warned about the dangers of purchasing e-scooters for their children after a teenage girl was found guilty of causing serious injury by careless driving following a collision in Letchworth.

On 7 January 2023, at 8.0pm, the teenager, then aged 16, was riding the e-scooter outside Letchworth Railway Station.

She attempted to cross the road while the pedestrian lights were red and collided with a motorbike. The rider suffered potentially life changing injuries as a result of the collision.

The girl appeared at Stevenage Youth Court on Thursday (February 22) where she was found guilty of causing serious injury by careless driving. She will return to court for sentencing in April.

Detective Constable Ellie Cowling said: "This was a devastating incident, not just for the victim, but also because a teenager has had to appear in court and has ended up with a criminal record.

"I am sure many parents may be buying these scooters for their children thinking they are harmless fun, but as this case demonstrates they can be extremely dangerous, with devastating consequences."

The Road Traffic Act 1988 states that a person must not use a motor vehicle on a road or other public place unless a valid policy of insurance is in place.

Although electric scooters are motor vehicles, they are not legal for road use and therefore cannot be insured. They can only be used on private land with the landowner's permission.

"Please think very carefully before you purchase one of these scooters," continued DC Cowling. "At this current time there are very few places you can legally ride one and we will seize e-scooters being used in public areas and prosecute riders where appropriate.

"We have been engaging with the retailers that sell these machines, to advise them to remind any purchasers that they cannot use an e-scooter on a public road."