Alcoy Local police impound 40 e-scooters and issue 49 fines

The Alcoy City Council, through its Department of Public Safety and the Local Police, has put out a summary of its most recent intensive effort to keep an eye on and raise awareness about the usage of Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs). This programme, which included police checks at random places across the city and instructional programmes in schools and institutes, has had real outcomes that show the city’s dedication to controlling the usage of these vehicles. In all, police sent out 49 tickets for different crimes and took 40 cars that didn’t fulfil legal or safety standards.

The major goals of these efforts have been twofold: first, to make drivers more conscious of their responsibilities when operating these vehicles, and second, to punish behaviours that put road safety and cohabitation with pedestrians at risk. The information gathered during the campaign shows the most common crimes in the city centre. Of the 49 users who were reported, 18 were punished for riding scooters that the Directorate General of Traffic did not approve of. Sixteen of the reports were for repeat offences. Also, 6 riders were punished for riding on the pavement, which is something that is closely watched to keep pedestrians safe, and another 6 were punished for operating vehicles that did not satisfy the proper technical standards for road use. Two people riding on the same vehicle also got penalties, and one person was reported for not being able to show proof of ownership of the scooter.

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Raül Llopis, the Councillor for Public Safety, stressed how important these numbers are as proof of the police force’s ongoing work: “It’s important to provide accurate and verifiable data like this to dispel the common misinformation we sometimes see in social media videos or the rumours claiming that no action is taken against these types of vehicles. The truth is that the Local Police work every day to make sure that the rules are followed.” Llopis said, “We appreciate the work of the officers because it helps us get potentially dangerous vehicles off the road and teach younger drivers, always looking out for the safety and peace of mind of the whole community.”

The effort has featured informational stops at school entrances in addition to enforcement. This has helped get the message across to young people that they should be safe. The City Council has said that these checkpoints would stay in place through 2026 to keep people safe and get them ready for new rules that will affect people who use personal mobility vehicles (PMVs). These rules will stress both the benefits and risks of using PMVs.

Author: Derek Appleton