Electric scooters have quickly become a common sight on Swedish streets and sidewalks. Despite offering a convenient and environmentally friendly transport option, they have also led to an alarming increase in road accidents.
During the period 2019 to November 2023, 9,271 personal injury accidents occurred in Sweden where at least one electric scooter was involved, according to TT. Of these, ten were fatal, 322 resulted in serious injuries, and 2,744 resulted in moderate injuries to those affected.
A Norwegian study shows that nine out of ten electric scooter riders injured in traffic have been under the influence of alcohol or drugs, it reports DI.
According to the newspaper, Sweden has distinguished itself in an unfortunate way in this regard – namely, the country is soon the only one in Europe that has not taken sufficient measures to regulate these vehicles, especially when it comes to driving them under the influence of alcohol.
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Photo: Christine Olsson/TTO Worry and frustration among the public
The lack of legislation has created great concern among the public. A study conducted by Demoskop for Mutual Insurance showed that a third of all electric scooter drivers in Sweden have driven with alcohol in their blood.
Markus Ljungbladwho is head of claims at Gjensidige Försäkring, says in a press release that he hopes the guess is grossly overestimated. But there are many indications that many drive electric scooters despite having drunk alcohol.
– The fact that the accidents with electric scooters historically often take place during the evening and weekends may be a sign that unfortunately there are many people who drive electric scooters despite having drunk alcohol, he says in the press release.
In addition, 59 percent of Swedes feel concerned about the lack of blood alcohol limits for these vehicles.
– I understand that concern. Alcohol does not belong in traffic at all. Even minor alcohol intake impairs the ability to react and makes one tend to become more risk-prone, said Markus Ljungblad in the press release.
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Sweden is last in Europe
Other European countries have already tackled the problem. The majority of these countries have introduced blood alcohol limits for riders of e-scooters, which has led to fewer accidents and a safer traffic environment.
Sweden, on the other hand, stands out as one of the few countries that still lacks such legislation.
According to reports, Sweden and Finland are the only countries in Europe that have not yet introduced a blood alcohol limit for e-scooters.
But now Finland is about to change its legislation, which will leave Sweden alone in Europe in allowing riders to drive electric scooters under the influence of alcohol without any legal restriction.
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