Uncontrolled Electric Motorcycle Mishaps: Incidents Surge by 100%
In the bustling cities of Kazakhstan, electric scooters have become a popular mode of transportation. However, recent statistics reveal a concerning trend - a rise in accidents involving these vehicles.
According to reports, Almaty and Nur-Sultan (Astana) have seen the most electric scooter accidents in recent years, with Almaty accounting for 79 cases, Astana recording 38 cases, and Shymkent reporting 11 cases. It is important to note that these statistics only cover accidents resulting in injuries or vehicle damage. There may be many more traffic violations by electric scooter riders that go unreported.
The majority of these accidents are due to violations of traffic rules. Drivers often fail to yield or exceed the speed limit, accounting for 14 and 10 cases respectively. One of the most common types of accidents caused by scooter riders is hitting a pedestrian, with 29 cases this year, which is 2.2 times more than last year. The second most common type is head-on collisions, with 23 accidents, almost a fourfold increase.
Tragically, four people died in electric scooter accidents last year, and one has died so far this year. Around half of the injured in electric scooter accidents this year were minors.
Despite rules on electric scooter management in place for two years, people continue to violate them, particularly in Almaty. In response, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has addressed the issue and instructed that legislative amendments regulating their use be adopted promptly.
In an effort to enforce these rules, abandoned electric scooters are being towed to impound lots in Astana and Almaty. As of September 12, around 17,400 electric scooter users in Almaty have been held administratively responsible.
This year, there have been 153 cases of cars hitting electric scooter riders from January to August, a significant increase from the 64 cases reported last year. Furthermore, separate records show that 93 accidents involving electric scooters were the fault of the rider in the first eight months of this year, double the number from the same period last year.
The increase in accidents has led to a rise in the number of injuries, with 173 people being injured in accidents involving electric scooters from January to August this year, 2.5 times more than last year.
Despite the rise in accidents, electric scooters continue to be a popular mode of transportation, with around 100,000 daily trips made on electric scooters in the southern capital alone. As the authorities work to address the issue and ensure the safety of all road users, it is crucial for electric scooter riders to adhere to the rules and prioritise safety on the roads.
