As of today, 15 June, the announced tightenings for riding electric scooters will be introduced. One of the biggest restrictions is that the general alcohol limit of 0.2 will also apply to electric scooters. The new rules mean that electric scooters are reclassified from “bicycle” to “motor vehicle”. Runar Karlsen, director of the Norwegian Police Directorate, says it is important to be aware that the punitive reactions will also be accordingly. – One must be aware that there is a significantly stricter reaction regime than there was before. This applies to both the punitive reactions (fine or imprisonment, journ.anm.), As well as loss of driving license, says Karlsen. Runar Karlsen is director of the Police Directorate. Photo: Torstein Bøe / Torstein Bøe This is how the punishment is Karlsen explains that the punishment depends on how intoxicated you are if you are stopped by the police, and draws up some main categories: Up to 0.5 per thousand: Fine Between 0.5 and 1.2 in per mille: Fine and conditional imprisonment Over 1.2 in per mille: Fine and unconditional imprisonment, as well as loss of driving license between 6 months and 5 years The new rules also mean that you can be punished if you try to drive under the influence of drugs, or borrow give away the electric scooter to someone who is intoxicated. In addition, the new classification also affects the level of fines for illegal use of mobile phones. – If you ride an electric scooter while using the phone illegally, it will lead to an offer of a simplified fine of 7450 kroner, plus three points. If you are 18–19 years old and have your driving license tested, it will result in a double load of dots, says Karlsen. The new rules also mean that people under the age of 15 must wear a helmet on an electric scooter, as well as a general age limit of 12 years. Facts about the new electric scooter rules The general blood alcohol limit of 0.2 shall also apply to driving under the influence of drugs with small electric vehicles. Age limit of 12 years. Mandate for the use of a helmet for children under 15 years. Small electric vehicles are reclassified from “bicycle” to “motor vehicle”. Source: Regjeringen.no Opens for routine testing Karlsen says it is up to each individual police district to decide how much resources will be used to follow up the new rules. POD has now sent out a statement to the police districts on how the rules will be enforced. Karlsen says it opens up for the police to carry out routine tests, without there being any suspicion, as a form of random sampling. – Drunk driving is a priority area, and so will the new rules. – If there is reason to believe that it is driving under the influence of drugs, the police will of course carry out a drug test, says Karlsen. Karlsen is open about the fact that the police will not be able to control everyone who rides electric scooters on the weekends, especially in the big cities. He also thinks it would be wrong to say that the police should “hunt” people who have had two beers and ride an electric scooter in the evening. – Electric scooters have caused many serious accidents, and it is the task of the police to prevent accidents from happening. Therefore, the police will from time to time carry out routine tests to prevent, so that it is a deterrent and a certain risk of being caught if you take the chance to drive drunk from a party with an electric scooter. 18-year-old Younes believes the police will have a lot to do when enforcing the new blood alcohol rules. Photo: Martin Zondag / news – Completely impossible news talks to Maja Jönsson as she is about to unlock an electric scooter at Majorstua in Oslo. She’s really happy with the tightening. At the same time, she will use electric scooters less, since she now risks a fine if she rides after having one beer in the city. – I have a friend who got quite drunk when he went home from a nightclub. He knocked out his teeth and stuff. But for my part, which runs when I have had one beer, it’s a bit awkward. 18-year-old Younes is critical of the tightening and points out that it is not directly illegal to cycle with a blood alcohol level (although there is a requirement for cycling to take place in a “safe and considerate manner”, journ.anm.). – There are accidents with bicycles every year when drunk, Younes points out. – How do you think it will be for the police to take care of people on electric scooters? – Impossible. Are you happy that the rules for electric scooters are becoming stricter? Yes, it was time. No, I see no reason for that. In a way, but it was fun while it lasted! Show result
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Police warn of routine checks and severe penalties – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
