Scooters have become an increasingly popular form of transportation in Colorado, as well as across the United States. In 2008, when gas and oil prices skyrocketed during the economic recession, scooters quickly became known as a financially prudent way to quickly get around town for many people – not just for the “older” crowd as they were once viewed.
If you own a scooter or are considering buying one, continue reading to learn about a several important facts regarding scooters and your legal rights in the event that you have an accident while driving one.
Scooter Benefits and Safety
As DMV suggests, there are several advantages to using a scooter as a mode of transportation. For instance:
- You can buy some scooters for less than $1000
- You can generally get up to 70 mpg on a scooter
- You can fill up a tank on a scooter for around 5 bucks
- They are faster than a moped and easier to park than a motorcycle
Despite these advantages, it’s critical to remember that – unlike a car – on a scooter you are offered little to no protection in the event of an accident. Similar to getting into a motorcycle accident, you are extremely vulnerable on a scooter.
Here are some simple but effective ways to protect yourself from sustaining serious bodily injury during a scooter accident and tips for preventing a crash from occurring in the first place:
- Always wear a helmet and eye protection
- Stay aware of your surroundings at all times
- Be more cautious than when behind the wheel of a car
- Wear a riding jacket that is visible and bright
- NEVER speed
- Install reflective stick-ons on your scooter and helmet
- Beware of the tailgater
- Don’t drive distracted
- Avoid blind spots
- Give ample time to indicate you are turning
- Exercise extreme caution when approaching intersections
