Christmas lists are growing again in Stone as the shops fill up and families look for ideas.
E scooters remain a popular choice, although the Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership has urged people to check the law before buying one, especially if it is intended for a child.
Where e scooters can and cannot be used
You can legally buy and own a private e scooter, although it can only be used on private land with the landowner’s permission.
This means Stone riders CANNOT use privately owned e scooters on public roads, parks, pavements or cycle tracks. The rule applies across the town, including the pedestrianised High Street.
Police officers can issue a £300 fine and penalty points for illegal use, and scooters may be seized on the spot.
If a child is stopped and officers believe a parent or carer has allowed that scooter to be used on the highway, the adult may be investigated for causing or permitting a traffic offence.
Battery safety concerns
Alongside the legal restrictions, safety teams are concerned about the fire risk linked to lithium ion batteries. These batteries can overheat and ignite quickly, spreading fire through hallways, porches and garages. Fire crews across the county have dealt with more incidents of this kind in the past two years.
Families are advised to use the correct charger, avoid overnight charging and never leave a charging scooter blocking an escape route indoors.
Rental e scooters are not available in Stone
Some UK cities run official rental e scooter schemes, also called e scooter trials. These schemes have their own rules and allow riders to use rented scooters on public roads and cycle lanes, although not on pavements or motorways. Riders must hold a full or provisional driving licence, and the operator provides third party insurance.
These rules only apply in areas taking part in the national trial.
There is no rental e scooter scheme in Stone or anywhere nearby, so rental scooters are not an option for local residents. Any e scooter used in the town is treated as a private scooter and must follow the private use rules.
A reminder timed for the festive season
The Staffordshire Safer Roads Partnership says the law has not changed, and enforcement is expected to continue through the winter.
For anyone unsure about the rules, further guidance is available on the government website, and Stone’s neighbourhood policing team can answer questions from parents who want to check the position before buying a scooter as a Christmas gift.
