Electric scooters cause 74 accidents and hundreds of traffic offences in three months since legalisation in Berlin

Spot checks also find drivers ‘frequently intoxicated’, police say

Electric scooters stand in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, 17 September, 2019. (AP/Markus Schreiber)

Electric scooters have caused 74 accidents and hundreds of traffic offences in the three months since they were legalised in Berlin, police say.

As well as the numerous accidents, police say they have seen 233 traffic violations and 65 cases of drink-driving since the transport devices have been allowed in the German capital.

Evening spot checks have also found scooter drivers are “frequently intoxicated”, police say, adding that they are treated the same as if they are behind the wheel of a car.

In the accidents, there have been 16 serious injuries and 43 less serious injuries.

Sixty-five have been caused by the scooter drivers themselves, and 27 of them were solo accidents.

In 19 cases, scooter drivers have been investigated for leaving the scene.

Police say the main causes have been driver inattention, use of unauthorised paths, or alcohol.

Traffic violations include carrying more than one person and using mobile phones while driving.

Associated Press contributed to this report.