CHILDREN receiving trendy new powered scooters for Christmas may be driving straight into trouble with the law.
Council chiefs have warned that these electric or petrol-powered scooters, which can reach 35mph, come under the same category as regular motorbikes.
This means it is illegal for anyone under 16 to ride one on a road, footpath or public land such as a park. And over-16s, who must ride on the road, have to have a licence, insurance, MOT, road tax and a helmet.
They are seen as a toy, but because they are powered by an electric or petrol engine they are covered by the Road Traffic Regulation Acts."
The Road Safety message to parents is to think hard about buying one of these as gifts -- your child may be thrilled with their present, but if stopped by a police officer and told they can't use it any more, it may dampen their Christmas spirit.
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