For some time now, electric scooters have been agents with an important presence in traffic. Although a few years ago they burst onto the streets occasionally, today they abound wherever we look and are integrated into the roads with as much presence as cars or even greater. In fact, Spain is the country that leads micromobility in Europe, according to the Brand Tracker report carried out by Tier Mobility.
According to this study, 30% of Spaniards use micromobility vehicles for urban travel. Spain is the country where the most people would like to use electric scooters (19% of those surveyed), as well as electric bicycles (16%) as an alternative to combustion vehicles. Now, it is important not to make the mistake of assuming that electric scooters – also called VMP, personal mobility vehicle – can be driven with less attention than a car.
When driving the electric scooter we must sharpen our senses and pay close attention to the handling of the VMP itself, to traffic signs, to other vehicles and pedestrians to avoid accidents. And this also implies reducing distractions such as using a mobile phone or wearing headphones listening to music, a podcast or talking to a contact.
The General Directorate of Traffic emphasizes that drivers of an electric scooter cannot wear headphones, nor use a mobile phone or any other device while driving. If an agent catches you using your cell phone or any other communication device – such as a smart watch – while driving, the fine would be 200 euros.
Likewise, if you ride an electric scooter using headphones, the fine also corresponds to 200 euros. It is the same fine that is attributed to violations such as driving a VMP at night without lighting or reflective clothing, as well as if you are not wearing a helmet in case the municipal ordinance considers this measure mandatory.
In this regard, it is also worth emphasizing that driving an electric scooter under the influence of alcohol or other narcotic substances is penalized with a fine of between 500 and one thousand euros, depending on the alcohol rates. In the case of drugs, the fine is one thousand euros. If you also test positive in the control, the scooter would be immobilized, in the same way as is done for the rest of the vehicles.
