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Italy acts versus 'wild' e-scooters after increase in accidents

Italy's parliament authorized a. bill on Wednesday that will need escooter riders to use. helmets and be insured, while likewise presenting harder fines for. rogue parking as part of a wider overhaul of the highway code.

The Senate offered last approval to the law with a 83-47 vote.

Like in other European countries, e-scooter usage has actually surged. in Italy over the last few years. But the boom has also brought an increase. in mishaps and problems from drivers and pedestrians about. riders flouting safety and parking rules.

No more wild scooters, Transport Minister Matteo Salvini. stated in a social media post, including that e-scooters will also be. needed to have license plates and be banned from cycle lanes,. pedestrian areas and non-urban roads.

National data institute ISTAT said in July that road. accidents with injuries including e-scooters rose to 3,365 in. 2023, with 21 deaths, up from 2,929 injuries and 16 deaths in. 2022.

Other countries in Europe have likewise restricted e-scooter. usage. In 2015, French capital Paris prohibited leased two-wheeled. electric vehicles following a referendum, and Madrid chose in. September to prohibit them also.

Supporters of e-scooters, which in cities like Rome and Milan. are popular with residents and travelers, state they provide a. zero-pollution and low-cost option to public transport or. other mobility alternatives.

E-scooter rental companies criticised the constraints as. overly punitive, pointing out that their vehicles go through. speed limitations and are geo-localised, reducing dangers of. abuse.

They have a technology that prevents particular bad behaviours. that are the source of the most serious mishaps, Andrea. Giaretta, Vice President for Southern and Western Europe, Middle. East at Dott, informed Reuters.

Giorgio Cappiello, head of institutional relations in Italy. for Bird, another rental business, called the brand-new guidelines. completely ideological and said his company reported no. casualties on their automobiles in 2022 and 2023.

The modified highway code likewise includes stiffer penalties for. driving under the impact of alcohol or drugs, along with a. jail regard to approximately 7 years for those who abandon animals on the. road, causing accidents.

Salvini, who is likewise deputy prime minister and leader of the. hard-right League party, stated the changes were prepared after. wide assessments with a common goal: decrease the carnage on. Italian roadways..

(source: Reuters)