Regional authorities address rising e-scooter safety concerns

Authorities in Serbia and Croatia are addressing rising safety concerns regarding light electric vehicles, such as e-scooters. In Serbia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that 148 accidents involving these vehicles occurred in the first nine months of the year, resulting in one death and 150 injuries.

The Serbian Ministry has issued an appeal for responsible use, reminding the public that operators must be at least 14 years old and are required to use helmets and reflective vests. Drivers must use bike lanes or, where unavailable, roads with speed limits of 30 km/h (or 50 km/h for those over 18).

In Croatia, traffic experts at a judicial experts' congress in Zagreb are proposing stricter regulations following accidents involving minors. Proposed measures include mandatory registration of e-scooters linked to owners, compulsory liability insurance, and periodic technical inspections to ensure vehicle safety and compliance with power and speed limits.