Police are warning e-scooter riders to rethink drinking and riding after a 32-year-old Fitzroy man lost his driver’s licence for being caught over the drink driving limit.
The Fitzroy North man, riding a trial-operated e-scooter, was intercepted by State Highway Patrol at the intersection of Lonsdale Street and Exhibition Street, Melbourne around 5.45pm on Friday, July 28, 2023, according to Road Policing Operations and Investigations Division Superintendent, John Fitzpatrick.
“Alarmingly, this rider was also caught not wearing a helmet – he was lucky to not be seriously injured given he was riding while impaired,” Superintendent Fitzpatrick said.
The rider allegedly returned a breath alcohol reading of 0.133% BAC – almost three times the legal limit.
The man’s driver’s licence was immediately disqualified for 13 months, and he was fined $817.
He was also fined $240 for not wearing a helmet.
E-scooter riders caught with a blood alcohol limit of over 0.049% BAC can lose their driver’s licence with the penalties the same as if they were in charge of a car.
“This incident should serve as a lesson to all e-scooter riders that you are not immune from the drink driving laws applicable to other motorists,” Superintendent Fitzpatrick said.
Police were enforcing in Melbourne’s CBD as part of Operation Halo, a road policing initiative focused on addressing the behaviour that leads to trauma among our most vulnerable road users.
This includes vehicles blocking bike lanes and failing to give way at pedestrian crossings, as well as distraction offences, speed and impaired driving.
Operation Halo is being conducted in areas of high traffic where lots of people are walking and riding – in Melbourne, Yarra, Port Phillip, Merri-bek, Stonnington and Boroondara.
The operation continues throughout August and September.
