Posted by duijim in on November 25, 2024
An increasing number of Atlantans are turning to electric scooters as a quick, convenient, and economical mode of transport. Unfortunately, under the influence of alcohol or drugs these scooters may pose a danger.
Riding an e-scooter under the influence is illegal under Georgia law, which prohibits operating any moving vehicle while under the influence.
Legal Issues
Underage motor scooter operators found driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can face DUI charges and severe penalties such as injuries and fines that will impact their future prospects.
DUI can have devastating repercussions for drivers’ ability to secure employment and insurance. Therefore, having an experienced Atlanta E-Scooter Injury Lawyer on your side will protect your rights and help secure the compensation necessary.
Laws regarding e-scooters differ depending on where in the country one lives. Laws surrounding them can be affected by various factors, including safety considerations, urban infrastructure, and local culture – for instance New York requires helmets when riding sidewalks while Atlanta allows only one scooter per rider and states that e-scooters cannot be left on vegetation, over gratings, or within five feet of docking locations – with these differences impacting both riders and pedestrians in various ways.
Safety Concerns
Electric scooters from Bird, Lime and Jump by Uber have quickly become a trend in urban areas throughout the US. Users rent these devices through apps by paying an unlock fee to unlock and ride them before parking it somewhere permissible by local ordinance.
However, these scooters often end up on sidewalks where they pose a potential hazard to pedestrians. Their faster-moving scooters can hit pedestrians on foot or run them over altogether, potentially injuring them severely. Some cities have taken steps to address these safety concerns.
Atlanta City Council Transportation Committee recently passed a proposal that extends Atlanta’s current midnight scooter and e-bike rental curfew until 2 a.m. This measure aims to ensure safety during late night use as well as prevent crime associated with scooters. In addition, this would require companies providing these vehicles to establish designated parking areas so as not to block sidewalks or hinder handicapped access at businesses.
Violations
Since Bird and Lime scooters began appearing on Atlanta sidewalks, city council members have implemented numerous new laws and restrictions regarding them. E-scooters must not block walkways or store entrances and speed limits are in place to prevent potential threats to pedestrian safety from these devices.
Georgia law states that any moving vehicle operated while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is unlawful to operate – this includes tractors, bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles, animal-drawn carriages and electric scooters.
Under these laws, any individual operating a scooter while under the influence could face similar penalties as drivers of cars and trucks. Furthermore, helmets are mandatory for riders under 16 and highly advised for all e-scooter users for their own safety. Furthermore, using any device without hands-free technology while on an e-scooter is illegal under Florida state law.
Penalties
Under Georgia law, anyone operating any moving vehicle (including scooters) while under the influence of alcohol or drugs may be charged with DUI. This includes mopeds, tractors, riding lawn mowers, electric scooters, motorized bicycles taxi-cabs and buses.
Handheld devices cannot be used while operating any vehicle, while e-scooters must abide by hands-free laws and wear helmets.
“E-bike sidewalk clutter,” which occurs when scooters are left anywhere on a sidewalk, can create an unsafe condition for pedestrians who could trip over or be struck by them, while fast-moving scooters could potentially knock down pedestrians and cause serious injuries. Yet despite all of these challenges, e-scooters remain an excellent way to travel Atlanta; but if an e-scooter accident has injured you or someone you love, reach out to our Atlanta e-scooter accident lawyers; we will fight hard on your behalf until justice has been done; call now so we can set up your free consultation appointment today!