Fatal accidents linked to these machines increased from 1 to 4 in the department, from one year to the next. The prefect's chief of staff warned about these figures during a control operation carried out this Wednesday, January 15 in the center of Montpellier.
A number of accidents multiplied by two, between 2023 and 2024. Ditto for the number of injured. Mortality increased from one to four deaths over the same period: the risks linked to electric scooters are taking a worrying turn in Hérault. This Tuesday, January 14, again, at the intersection of Chemin de Moularès and Avenue du Pont-Trinquat, in Montpellier, a 27-year-old young man suffered head trauma with loss of consciousness after a collision with a car.
50 accidents in 2024 compared to 23 in 2023
This Wednesday, January 15, the chief of staff of the prefect, Thibaut Félix, alerted to this situation and communicated the accident figures in the department. “The results are frankly worrying”he believes. In 2024, we recorded 50 scooter accidents compared to 23 the previous year, and 48 people injured, compared to 24 in 2023.
“Seeing more and more scooters in the city is a positive sign in terms of less polluting means of transport. On the other hand, this practice generates new road risks”observes the sub-prefect in front of these statistics. Comments made during an inspection carried out this Wednesday, January 15 at the end of the morning, at the corner of Boulevard du Jeu-de-Paume and Grand-Rue Jean-Moulin, where pedestrians, bicycles, scooters and tram.
Unbridling speed: a reason for confiscation
National and municipal police were deployed to control insurance, braking, lighting and especially speed restrictions. “This is limited to 25 km/h on commercially sold scooters. Unclamping may be grounds for confiscation.”recalled the prefect’s chief of staff. Machines have already been impounded.
The state representative announced it: road checks targeting these two-wheelers will increase. “Users must follow a certain number of rules. Their safety and that of other users are at stake.” We are thinking in particular of pedestrians, regularly put in danger by the unconsciousness of certain scooter riders in the center of Montpellier. “Since 2019, the Highway Code has included provisions relating to scooters”underlines Thibaut Félix.
A few rules were reminded, such as the obligation to use cycle paths, to be equipped with means of visibility at night, or even the ban on riding two people on a scooter. Likewise, their use is strictly prohibited for those under 14 years of age.
Cities tighten regulations
The danger and nuisance have reached such proportions in recent years that some mayors have decided to ban or restrict these two-wheelers in all or part of their city. This is the case in Carcassonne and Montélimar, with fines of up to €135. In Lunel, the standards governing the circulation of scooters in town have recently been tightened. “Mayors call us to find out what regulatory tools are available to them. The prefecture plays its role of legal advice to communities”the chief of staff of the prefect.
“The sanctions will be more regular”
This Wednesday, during the check carried out on Jeu-de-Paume, the police used both pedagogy and firmness. “We still do a lot of prevention, but the sanctions will be more regular”warns Captain Annabelle Raymond, of the Public Order Unit of the national police, which brings together motorcyclists and the road safety brigade. “Work on scooters is one of our priorities. On these foldable, easy-to-carry machines, the use of protective means is not sufficiently respected”notes the policewoman. Remember that wearing a helmet, although not obligatory, is strongly recommended.
