12-year-old girl dead, another injured after their motorized scooter collided with a school bus

[sheshe2]

A 12-year-old girl died after she and another child collided with a school bus while riding a motorized scooter in Massachusetts

"While these vehicles are widely available and, in many cases, unregulated, they can pose very real dangers — especially for young adolescents who may not yet have the experience, judgment or understanding of traffic laws needed to operate them safely,” Haverhill Public Schools Superintendent Margaret Marotta said.

snip

On Thursday, June 25, two children were riding a scooter together when they collided with a school bus at approximately 4 p.m. local time, the Essex County District Attorney's office said in a news release.

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“Two girls on one scooter, they just went fast and they hit the bus,” one child who witnessed the incident told NBC10, while another recalled seeing the two girls under the bus “on the floor, not moving.”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/12-year-old-girl-dead-another-injured-after-their-motorized-scooter-collided-with-a-school-bus/ar-AA26H5wY

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Why the hell are these scooters are even allowed on the streets? I have seen these things all over the place, zooming down sidewalks and on busy streets! I was behind two of them on a well trafficked road, they were going faster than I was. These things are not 'supposed' to go over 35 MPH, though as the article states many of these scooters are unregulated.

Jeebus C, I would never have allowed my kid to have one.

[Deuxcents]

1. They're everywhere here and no helmets on any of the kids. Where are the parents to give some directions

And not purchasing these things?

[sheshe2]

2. Why are states allowing this?!

No drivers Ed, no rules...nothing!

As a parent I wouldn't allow it. SMDH!

[Deuxcents]

3. In Florida, they are treated like any traditional bicycle..they can go anywhere , no license or insurance needed

No helmets, either..at night, reflectors are required and must have a front light. So..day and night, ya gotta be on the look out for them and school is out now..another problem in itself

[sheshe2]

5. It is accidents waiting to happen

...and there will be more and more fatalities.

Maybe I am just old and cranky, but something just isn't right about this.

[LeftInTX]

4. I'm seeing those. Kids dart around with them.

[sheshe2]

6. At pretty high speeds too!

[RockRaven]

7. The laws are different in every state, but in mine there'd be 2-4 major violations going on there, before the accident.

The wreckage in the article's first picture is not what I expected from "electric scooter" or "motorized scooter" but the article repeatedly calls it that, so I shall proceed with my two cents anyway.

In CA, motorized scooters are classified in such a way that a driver's license is required (in practice that means a minimum age as well). Only one rider allowed. And they have a 15 MPH speed limit, and limited operational areas.

From the CA state website:

A motorized scooter has 2 wheels, a motor, handlebars, and a floorboard that you can stand on while riding it.

You can only drive motorized scooters on a bicycle path, trail, or bikeway, not on a sidewalk, and you cannot exceed a speed of 15 mph.

You do not need to register motorized scooters.

You can drive a motorized scooter with any class driver’s license.

Some schools around here have already limited which types of e-bikes and such are allowed on campuses (lots of elementary and middle schoolers ride to/from) to discourage usage of the more dangerous/capable/faster ones and to knock some awareness into the parents -- many of whom are apparently oblivious to the dangers their purchases have created.

More law enforcement is not the solution to every problem (including this one), but I am curious what the specific laws in MA are... The article doesn't really say.

[sheshe2]

8. Thank you for your response.

Here is a quick summary:

What is different in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts currently defines an electric bicycle around class 1 and class 2 treatment in Chapter 90.
Massachusetts gives e-bikes bicycle-style rights and duties, but expressly bans them from sidewalks.
Massachusetts lets local or state authorities regulate e-bike use on bike paths, bikeways, and natural-surface trails after public notice and a hearing.
Massachusetts uses a two-speed framework for mopeds: the machine can be defined around a 30 mph maximum capability but cannot be operated above 25 mph.
Massachusetts still requires a license or learner's permit for both mopeds and scooters.
Massachusetts motorized scooters have distinctive restrictions, including no passengers and no riding after sunset or before sunrise.

Moped riders must be at least 16 and licensed

https://www.motorizedbicyclehq.com/motorized-bicycle-laws-massachusetts/

Fact is that I have seen them flying on sidewalks. The two kids on the road in front of me were going about 35 MPH, that was the speed I was going. Most of the ones I have seen do not look 16 years old.

[pat_k]

9. Even worse, electric unicycles.

Here in Seattle people speed around on these things, running lights, dodging in and out of traffic.

They can go 60 mph. They are supposed to follow speed limits, but no rider I've seen on the streets here does. And it is even a bit difficult to see how a cop would catch one of these things.

As far as I know, there's

No age requirement.

No licensing.

No insurance needed.

[calimary]

10. Oh great.

Just keeps on getting worse!