E-scooters might be a faster way than walking but with their rise in popularity comes a lot of issues especially in safety. For some, this fun-looking way to travel within a short distance poses a hazard to other road users.
Earlier in March, Japan’s National Police Agency published its latest data on traffic accidents in the country and in 2022, there were 41 reported cases of e-scooter accidents which is more than 10 times higher than in 2020 when it only reported 4 cases.
2022 also saw the first reported fatality involving e-scooters in Japan when a victim succumbed to his head injuries after hitting a parking bollard. Most of the reported e-scooter accidents also occurred in Tokyo which saw 66% of reported cases.
As such, Japan’s lawmakers have amended the country’s Road Traffic Act in a bid to reduce e-scooter accidents. Currently, the law states that users must require a motorcycle or driver’s license to operate an e-scooter if the electric motor’s power output exceeds 0.6 kW as well as having a license plate installed if they are to be used on public roads.
From 1-July 2023, the updated traffic law now states that e-scooters must not have a power output higher than 0.6 kW, have a maximum speed of 20 km/h, and must be equipped with a maximum speed indicator. By comparison, most of the e-scooters used in Malaysia have a maximum speed limit of 25 km/h.
Furthermore, under the amended law, it will be compulsory for e-scooter users to wear a safety helmet when riding and users under the age of 16 years old are not allowed to ride e-scooters.
E-scooters have gained some popularity all over the world including Japan with a few companies renting them out and some are even bought for personal use. It makes an interesting alternative to riding a bicycle or walking which are common among Japanese. These amended laws are not discouraging the use of e-scooters and instead are means to make them less of a nuisance to other road users.
Also read: Paris shows no love to e-scooters as city bans the two-wheeled terror on its streets
Source: Japan tightens law on e-scooters – max speed cut to 20 km/h, helmet compulsory, and only for age 16+