New rules for electric scooters came into force in Kazakhstan on August 25, raising many questions among citizens. The Prosecutor General's Office has clarified the introduced requirements, reports infohub.kz.
As noted in the supervisory body's Telegram channel, the legislative changes were made due to an increase in road accidents involving e-scooters, mopeds, bicycles, and other personal mobility devices. Alarming statistics are cited: since the beginning of the year, 390 accidents caused by moped drivers have been registered, in which 33 people died and 461 were injured. Cyclists caused 169 accidents, drivers of small electric vehicles – 97, and e-scooter riders – 47. In all these incidents, 329 minors were injured, and 10 children died.
At the same time, users of such vehicles often become victims of accidents themselves. There were 145 collisions with e-scooter riders, 82 with moped riders, and 52 with drivers of small electric vehicles. These incidents claimed the lives of four people, and nearly 300 others sustained various injuries.
In this regard, from August 25, the movement of e-scooters on sidewalks and pedestrian paths is prohibited. If there is a bicycle lane or bike path, movement must be carried out only on them, and in their absence – along the right edge of the roadway or on the shoulder in accordance with traffic rules.
It is also necessary to remember that driving on the roadway is allowed only for persons over 18 years old who have a driver's license of the appropriate category and use a protective helmet. Moped drivers are obliged to move exclusively on the roadway, and when crossing the road at a pedestrian crossing, owners of scooters, bicycles, and mopeds must dismount and walk their vehicle beside them. It is forbidden to carry passengers, use a phone without holding the handlebar, and move in the dark without reflective elements.
High-speed movement in places of mass pedestrian traffic poses a particular danger. Children, elderly citizens, and parents with strollers are the first at risk. No less dangerous are wet asphalt, metal manholes, and tiled surfaces, where wheel traction with the road is significantly reduced. Before each trip, it is necessary to ensure the vehicle is in good working order, use protective gear, and not get distracted while driving.
Car drivers should also exercise increased caution. When passing intersections, courtyards, pedestrian crossings, and places where scooter and bicycle users may appear, they need to slow down and be prepared for unexpected changes in the road situation.
Accidents involving minors are of particular concern. Parents should teach children traffic rules from an early age, monitor their use of scooters and bicycles, and not allow them to drive vehicles when it is prohibited by law.
"A scooter is no longer just entertainment," Kazakh citizens were warned.