Police Warning Over ‘Hoverboard’ Use

Police are reminding people about the legalities over a popular ‘toy’ this festive period, with some so called hoverboards being illegal for road use.

Police say “Hoverboarders/Segaway types of vehicles” who use their two wheels on the road are being made aware they are breaking the law as they do not meet the legal requirement to be safely used amongst other traffic.

Hover boards/Segaways are increasing in popularity and have been seen as the ‘must have’, with police reminding the public that it would be unlawful to use these vehicle on pavements and public roads. Under the Road Traffic Act 1988 a road is any highway and any other road to which the public has access, and includes bridges over which a road passes. A road includes public highways, footpaths and bridleways maintained by government agencies and local authorities.

Concerns are to keep public and user’s safe and informing people that these devices cannot be used on a public road or pavement. Police say that using them on the roads and or pavements on a public road you will be committing a 180-year-old offence set out in the Highway Act of 1835.

The rules are being pointed out by the Crown Prosecution Service further guidance can be found from Department for Transport link Segway guidance from the Department for Transport who says you need to be in your own backyard or on private land to legally use your board.

This warning also includes “…..personal transporters, such as the Segway Personal Transporter are powered by electricity and transport a passenger standing on a platform propelled on two or more wheels. They are capable of speeds up to 12 mph. Under current legislation, the Department for Transport considers Segway Personal Transporters as motor vehicles, subject to road traffic laws”.