HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) has launched a new campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of e-scooters and related personal mobility vehicles.

The campaign aims to remind e-scooter users that the sidewalks should remain a safe haven for pedestrians and has already had the backing of a number of agencies including the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP), the Spanish Committee of Representatives of People with Disabilities (CERMI) and the Spanish Confederation of Organizations of the Elderly.

In January, a number of new regulations came into force that were approved by the Council of Ministers which expressly state that personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) among which are e-scooters, should be considered vehicles for all purposes. This means that their owners are now obliged to comply with traffic regulations as other vehicles have to.

This would imply that such vehicles may not circulate on the sidewalks in addition to being prohibited from circulating on interurban roads, highways, crossings or urban tunnels.

However, the DGT are aware that not all users respect the new regulations, some out of pure ignorance of the law, and as a result, it is not uncommon to see scooters circulating on sidewalks. This not only generates complaints from the public but is also potentially very dangerous, especially to those who are more vulnerable including the elderly and those with disabilities.

Although it is a serious matter, the DGT’s campaign has been launched in a friendly and fun tone with the aim of moving towards a model where those living in cities can all coexist with safety in mind.

The campaign has adopted the slogan "NOPASA" or “It doesn’t happen” along with the hashtag #HagamosAcera.

As a part of the campaign, the DGT has stressed a number of points that it requests that all PMV users adhere to. These are:-

• Drive with caution and avoid endangering other road users.
• Do not drive on the sidewalks. It is prohibited.
• Respect signage and pedestrian crossings.
• Do not ride while wearing headphones. Besides being very dangerous, it is illegal.
• Only one person may ride a scooter.
• Always use a helmet
• Park in the authorized places only and check the regulations of your municipality.
• Remember that the person responsible for any incident is the driver, or their parents, in the case of being a minor.

The DGT campaign also seeks to remind users that they are subject to the same alcohol levels as other road users. They are also prohibited from riding under the influence of recreational drugs.

Along with the awareness campaign, local authorities plan to roll out a new surveillance campaign to enforce the new regulations and to make those riding bicycles and e-scooters aware that such vehicles shouldn’t be used on sidewalks.

Under current regulations, police officers have the power to penalise any users who violate the new laws with a fine of up to 200 euros.

Source

https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/serviciosdeprensa/notasprensa/interior/Paginas/2021/251021-peaton.aspx
https://www-pro.dgt.es/muevete-con-seguridad/viaja-seguro/por-la-acera/

Image Credit: La Moncloa