Are Motor Scooters Safe? Yes and No!

Motor scooters, both electric scooters and gasThey are often used for traveling short distances
scooters, are a style of motorcycle that have a steparound the neighborhood to perform errands. Due to
through frame and have become a very populartheir size, fuel-efficiency, weight, and typically larger
method of travel all over the world. They have beenstorage room than a motorcycle, they are ideal in
scooting out of show rooms at record speed. Butthis situation. But in the hands of the youth, without
what many people do not realize is that motorany previous driving experience, they can be deadly.
scooters are classified as motor vehicles when itThe ATV, go carts, dirt bikes and mini bikes are
comes to highway regulations. And although they areother vehicles that are often owned and operated
an object of desire for many they can also beby younger drivers. ATVs are usually used off road
dangerous for many.along with dirt bikes and mini bikes. Go karts are
They are typically regulated by state laws as eithertypically driven on paved tracks specifically made for
motorcycles or mopeds and are subject to many ofthe go cart. The go kart, mini bike, dirt bike or ATVs
the same regulations as other motor vehicles. With adon't usually get out on the open road where there
careful and alert driver a scooter can be as safe asare cars to contend with. Therefore they also avoid
any other vehicle on the road. But accidentsmany of the dangers that scooter drivers must face.
frequently occur when motor scooter drivers thinkMotor scooters are the latest craze, especially among
they are exempt from the conventions that apply tothe youth market looking for a quick, cheap form of
automobiles.transportation. These youths can be too young to
Motor scooters (sometimes called mopeds or goown a driver's license, and the result is a dangerous
peds) are commonly purchased for use by childrensituation. They are more popular than ever, but as
and teenagers, most of whom do not even possesstheir popularity grows, people's awareness of driving
a valid license to drive. Licensed drivers have had aregulations has not kept pace, especially among the
certain amount of training behind the wheel of a car,younger generation.
unlike many motor scooter drivers under the age ofKids often think of motor scooters as toys, not as
16. Without proper training children and youngadult vehicles. But a scooter is not a toy. It's a
teenagers can easily find themselves in positions thatpotentially dangerous motor vehicle subject to certain
experienced drivers normally would not.laws and regulations. Also, youth often think of
Darting in and out of traffic with little drivingthemselves as being immune to automobile driving
experience, on a motor scooter that is so small itregulations and immune to accidents as well. "It won't
cannot be seen by other drivers, poses a hazard tohappen to me" is a very common attitude among the
both the scooter driver and other motorists travelingyouth. But it's precisely this attitude that can get
the highway. To be safe a motor scooter driverthem into trouble.
must think of himself as being invisible to the otherPeople need to be aware of the potential motor
drivers making their way down the busy streets. Ascooter dangers and take appropriate action. Scooter
scooter driver cannot assume that other drivers willriders should pay special attention while driving,
see them.making sure not to drive erratically, but to be
A safe approach for a scooter driver would be topredictable and courteous to other drivers on the
assume that they are completely invisible to otherroad.
drivers and then act accordingly. A motor scooterBoth kids and adults need training and experience
rider must be ready to maneuver out of harm's ifbefore attempting to maneuver their scooters out in
another driver makes a sudden unexpectedtraffic. If parents will take a little time to train their
movement. Being safe means staying alert at allchildren, making sure they are aware of the rules of
times. Being safe also means following the rules ofthe road before they are allowed to travel on them,
the road and not making unnecessary or risky movesit could make driving a pleasure instead of a danger.
in traffic that would cause their moped scooter toWith a little training and some wise words of advice
dart out in front of another moving vehicle.we can all make a difference in the lives of the
Automobile drivers must have time to react to ayouth. Give them some training and experience and
scooter driver's movements.their motor scooters may be an object of fun
There are many reasons to own a motor scooter.instead of injury.