An increasing number of students at the University of Maryland have started using motorized scooters to travel around campus, raising concerns about safety, according to a recent article published in The Washington Post. The University of Maryland is particularly concerned about safety issues after a Maryland offensive lineman was seriously injured in a collision with a car while riding a motorized scooter.
Scooters are becoming popular among students because they are an easy way to cut down travel time between classes. They’re also cost-effective and, on crowded campus streets, are easier to park than a car. However, scooter drivers are at a greater risk for injury in an accident. Road hazards like water or potholes can also hurt scooter drivers, who may fall off the scooter if it hits a pothole or puddle.
The University of Maryland is considering a number of ways to make commuting by scooter safer, including requiring scooter drivers to wear helmets while traveling on campus. Other campuses nationwide are considering requiring safety measures like protective eyewear and additional lights on scooters.
Due to their small size and lack of headlights, scooters can be difficult for drivers to see. In a car crash, scooter drivers are at a significant disadvantage than those protected by a motor vehicle. Colliding with a car or truck can cause a scooter driver permanent injuries, particularly if a driver is not wearing a helmet, which Maryland law does not require them to do.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a scooter accident, bicycle accident or similar crash, please don’t hesitate to contact an experienced traffic accident lawyer. Attorney Steven H. Heisler, “The Injury Lawyer,” has fought for the rights of injured people in a wide range of traffic accident cases. To learn more about your legal rights and options after an accident, call The Law Offices of Steven H. Heisler today at 877-228-4878 for a free and confidential consultation.