On Wednesday 8 March 2023, a 14-year-old boy was sentenced for causing the death of a woman whilst riding his private e-scooter on a footpath in Nottinghamshire. The boy collided with 71-year-old pedestrian Linda Davis, who sustained a head injury and died in hospital a few days later. The boy was handed a 12-month referral order, having previously admitted to causing death by driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence, and causing death by driving a vehicle while uninsured.

District Judge Leo Pyle said: “This tragic incident was avoidable. Pavements are for pedestrians, and people in wheelchairs, or babies in prams. They are supposed to be free of vehicles of any type. This mode of transport should not be there.”

As well as a referral order, the boy was disqualified from driving for five years. His parents were both handed six-month parenting orders. This tragic case shows the seriousness with which criminal courts will treat these incidents, which will undoubtedly increase given the surge of private e-scooter sales in recent years.

Aoife Quinn examines the current regulations surrounding e-scooters, her insights can be found here.