Cheruvathur: With the increasing use of electric scooters that do not require registration or a licence to ride, road accidents are on the rise. Young school students are the ones riding it. It has become a common sight around school premises and town areas.

These two-wheelers, which can reach speeds of up to 25 km per hour, are meant to be ridden by only one person. Without helmets, two or three children ride together at high speeds. Parents who buy these vehicles for their children are also responsible for this situation.

The Kerala police can only watch these children riding dangerously. Even if they do stunts right in front of them, the police are helpless as they cannot take any action. The Motor Vehicles Department has not put out any statements so far regarding the usage of such vehicles.

Many of these scooters are seen travelling through the under-construction national highway as well. Action can be taken only if the government issues instructions to stop children travelling without helmets and carrying multiple passengers on major and busy roads.

Need for legislation

The major hindrance in taking action is that vehicles with batteries below 250 watts do not fall under the category of motor vehicles. Taking advantage of this loophole, battery-operated vehicles have become widespread. There have already been instances where such vehicles were involved in accidents causing loss of life. The government has the authority to enact special legislation. The Motor Vehicles Department has already submitted a proposal to the government demanding that a law be introduced.

— M. Vijayan, Motor Vehicle Inspector, Kanhangad