Scooters, new queens of the track in Caen
Through Nicolas claich
Published on
Caen (Calvados) does not escape the phenomenon. As everywhere in France, EDPMs (personal motorized displacement engines) are popping up in the streets of the city. “This name also concerns monoroues, hoverboards or gyropods, but these remain anecdotal”, specifies Hervé Gancel, “two-wheeler” referent at the Caen police station. In France, 640,000 electric scooters are currently in circulation and this surge is not without causing some concern in the city center. “The road is already saturated with cars and bicycles,” observes the police officer who regularly organizes preventive operations.
No license, but a code
First rule, as simple as it is complicated to integrate: scooters, like bicycles and cars, must respect the highway code even if we cannot remove points from them since no license is necessary for the pilots. Hervé Gancel insists:
Place des EDPM is on the cycle path when there is one, and on the road when traffic is authorized. In no case can they drive on the sidewalk!
Give way, traffic lights, stop, right-of-way… The rules of the highway code apply throughout the Caen cycle network. Including when you don’t necessarily expect it. “When an EDPM circulates on a track against the direction of cars, in a one-way street, and it arrives at a crossroads, it has priority on the right, illustrates the police officer. This is the case, for example, at the intersection of rue de l’Académie with rue Saint-Martin, in the city center ”.
What you need to know about EDPMs in Calvados
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Between January 1, 2018 and September 21, 2021, 31 accidents involving EDPMs were recorded in Calvados, mainly in Caen and its agglomeration. Of these, 17 concerned users of these engines who had a fall alone. “On a scooter, we are vulnerable,” comments Hervé Gancel. There are specific injuries, including wrist fractures ”. 7 collided with a pedestrian, 5 collided with a car and 2 with a utility vehicle.
Women
Women, who are less likely to use EDPMs, say they are more cautious. According to a study entitled “EDP-m users and road sharing in Calvados”, none circulate having drunk alcohol, against 38% of men. They do not use their phone either, and very little ride over 25 km / h or two on a scooter.
Listen
It is the best known risk factor, especially among 16-24 year olds, but also among 30-34 year olds and even 55-59 year olds. The speed and the fact of being two on a scooter come next. Among 40-44 year olds, it is alcohol that is the most intake.
If accidents remain rare, the police officer observed a “poor perception of risks” by many users of these engines that can be driven from the age of 12. As by motorists. “The smaller the machine, the more we think it does not run fast”. Their speed is limited to 25 km / h anyway, but scooters bought before September 2019 can go faster. “The owner must comply and restrict the engine of his machine,” warns Hervé Gancel.
What fine?
Like any road user, cyclists and scooters are required to respect the highway code. Any violation is punishable by a fine: running a red light, driving on a sidewalk, against the direction, on a road at more than 50 km / h … Equipment faults can also give rise to penalties. Here are some examples :
Driving on a sidewalk: € 35.
Riding with a passenger: 35 €.
Riding with headphones: 90 €.
Driving with smooth tires: 90 €.
Grilling a red light: 90 €.
Bell, lighting, reflectors, brakes fault: € 11.
600
In euros, it is the amount of the fine that you encourage if you are checked on an electric scooter that is not insured. “It’s a fixed fine,” explains Hervé Gancel. Many users don’t know they need to be insured. This is often taken into account in civil liability, but you have to report it to your insurer ”. In Calvados, 67.7% of EDPM users travel without insurance.
“Adapt your behavior”
As the presence of EDPMs is authorized on the road in built-up areas, motorists must, for their part, take them into consideration. “To exceed them, you need a minimum gap, underlines the specialist in the matter at the police station. In general, each road user must adapt his behavior, whether he is a cyclist, biker, or on a scooter ”.
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