Western Australia Police have initiated a statewide operation specifically aimed at monitoring e-scooter riders, starting with a significant crackdown across popular party areas. This initiative comes in response to the tragic death of Menora resident Thanh Phan, who was killed by an allegedly intoxicated tourist riding an e-scooter last weekend. WA Police’s Andre Michalski has advised riders to expect random stops, breath tests, and consequences for any breaches of the law.
The situation has raised alarm among officials, including Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby, who noted the shocking reality of pedestrian safety in the face of such incidents. In a related move, the City of Vincent has banned e-scooter rentals, becoming the second council, following the City of Perth, to take this step due to safety concerns.
The local government, spearheaded by City of Vincent Mayor Alison Xamon, advocates for urgent safety measures regarding e-scooter use. Together with the WA Motor Trades Association, they are calling for a ban on modifications that allow e-scooters to reach speeds of up to 60km/h, which are seen as particularly dangerous. Stephen Moir from the association highlighted that the issue primarily revolves around modified scooters rather than rental ones.
This year alone, St John Ambulance has responded to more than 300 serious e-scooter-related accidents, putting WA on track to eclipse last year’s record of 500 serious crashes, prompting further safety measures. Consequently, the police operations will extend over the next five weeks, specifically targeting illegal activities such as speeding, lack of helmets, mobile phone usage, exceeding passenger limits, and riding under the influence of alcohol.
Overall, WA Police aim to enhance safety for both riders and pedestrians in light of increasing concerns about e-scooter regulations and overall public safety.