New regulations for the safe use of light personal electric vehicles on the roads are being introduced through provisions included in the draft law of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family titled “Personal Assistant, Early Intervention, and Other Active Policies for Persons with Disabilities and Children with Disabilities, Housing Policy Provisions, and Other Provisions,” which was released today, Friday, June 26, for public consultation.
This legislative initiative aims to enhance road safety when using electric scooters, prevent accidents, and, in particular, provide greater protection for minors from the risks associated with the use and sale of these vehicles.
These provisions stipulate:
- A ban on the operation of electric scooters by individuals under the age of 17,
- stricter penalties for riding electric scooters on high-risk roads,
- A requirement for electric scooter riders to carry identification and proof of insurance,
- establishing mandatory insurance coverage for the use of electric scooters,
- a ban on the sale, rental, and distribution of electric scooters to individuals under the age of 17, along with penalties for sellers, providers, and rental companies that violate these requirements.
Deputy Minister of Transportation George Kotsiras stated: “Road safety and the protection of human life are non-negotiable priorities. Recently, there have been serious traffic accidents involving electric scooters, with children as victims in several cases.
For this reason, recognizing the urgency of the matter, we have decided to prioritize this legislative initiative to establish a stricter and more effective regulatory framework for the use of electric scooters, by incorporating the relevant provisions into the draft bill of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family, so that they can be implemented as soon as possible.
Our goal is clear: to enhance road safety, reduce accidents, and protect human life, with special attention to children.”
More specifically, this legislative initiative provides for the following:
- The use of electric scooters on public roads by individuals under the age of 17 is prohibited, with the exception of electric scooters used by people with disabilities. A fine of 150 euros will be imposed for violations.
- Penalties are being tightened for riders using electric scooters on roads with a speed limit exceeding 50 km per hour. The fine is being increased from 30 euros to 350 euros.
- Electric scooter riders are required to carry a valid form of identification and proof of insurance while riding.
- Owners of electric scooters are required to have third-party liability insurance for the operation of these vehicles. In the event of a violation, an administrative fine of 250 euros will be imposed.
- The sale, rental, and distribution of electric scooters to persons under the age of 17 are prohibited. Furthermore, anyone who sells, rents, or makes an electric scooter available must verify the age of the person to whom it is offered by requesting to see a valid identification document.
- Companies that sell, make available, or rent electric scooters to individuals under the age of 17 are subject to a fine of 1,000 euros.
Note: You can view the public online consultation on the draft law of the Ministry of Social Cohesion and Family titled “Personal Assistant, Early Intervention, and Other Active Policies for Persons with Disabilities, Housing Policy Provisions, and Other Provisions” at: https://www.opengov.gr/koinsynoik/?p=9816