The police will pay increased attention to offenses committed by vulnerable road users

In the first three months of this year, State Police officials in Gulbene, Alūksne, Valkas and Smiltene counties called 14 drivers to legal responsibility for driving a bicycle, electric scooter or moped under the influence of alcohol or narcotics or other intoxicating substances.

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“Dzirksteli” was informed about this by Ivars Mednis, head of the reaction department of the Northern Vidzeme station of the Vidzeme regional administration of the State Police.

“With the start of the bicycle and motorcycle season, we will definitely pay more attention to the offenses committed by vulnerable road users,” says I.Mednis and continues that with the onset of warm weather, young people moved more and more on the streets with mopeds.

“It is important to note that the right to take the exam for obtaining a moped driver’s license is from the age of 14. The moped driver is not required by law to carry out a state technical inspection of his vehicle (moped), however, there is an obligation to carry out mandatory civil liability insurance for its owner. When driving a moped or a motorcycle, the driver of the vehicle must wear a safety helmet on his head, except for the case when the vehicle has a closed body,” says I. Mednis.

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What is aggressive driving?

Gulbenians have asked “Dzirkstele” whether motorcyclists are allowed to ride in a group on the street and whether it is not aggressive driving if they accelerate so that you can hear it on the other side of the street. I.Mednis explains that road traffic regulations stipulate that bicycle drivers, when participating in road traffic, must drive along the roadway in one row as close as possible to the right side of the roadway (driving lane), however, the rules do not stipulate such an obligation for moped or motorcycle drivers, therefore moped or motorcycle drivers may participate in traffic, even riding next to each other in the same lane.

He also explains that the Road Traffic Law stipulates that aggressive driving is, first of all, committing several violations of road traffic rules that are related to the creation of dangerous or disturbing situations for road traffic. Second, driving in a way that disrupts the smooth flow of vehicles or ignores the interests of other drivers. Thirdly, the deliberate creation of skids on roads or other places where traffic is possible. Fourth, deliberate rapid braking, which creates a dangerous situation for road traffic, if, according to road traffic regulations, such braking is not necessary for road safety.

“For the driver of a moped or motorcycle, aggressive driving can also be expressed as driving a moped or motorcycle on one wheel and a tricycle or quadricycle on the rear wheels on roads or other places where traffic is possible – parking lots, squares, yards and the like, except for cases when deviations from road traffic rules are permissible – in sports events, entertainment and demonstration events,” says I.Mednis.

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Amendments have been made

I. Mednis also reminds that amendments have been made to the Road Traffic Law and road traffic regulations. For example, from April 1 of this year, registration of electric scooters is mandatory, it is forbidden to participate in road traffic with unregistered electric scooters. It is allowed to participate in road traffic with an electric scooter from the age of 14, if you have obtained a driver’s license of any vehicle, until the age of 18, it could be a bicycle or moped driver’s license. Children under the age of 18 must wear a safety helmet when riding an electric scooter, but it is recommended to use a safety helmet from the age of 18.

Children from the age of 10 may ride a bicycle independently in road traffic, if the child has obtained a bicycle driver’s license. It is important that up to the age of 18 a bicycle or any other vehicle driver’s license is mandatory, but from the age of 18 a vehicle driver’s license is desirable but not mandatory. Children up to the age of 16 (inclusive) must wear a safety helmet when riding a bicycle, but from the age of 17 the use of a safety helmet is recommended.

The State Police also calls on the children’s parents and legal representatives to ensure that the children comply with the provisions of this law and do not allow their offspring to participate in road traffic, violating road traffic rules, for example, without a driver’s license of the appropriate category or not using a protective helmet. Failure to follow these rules can endanger the child’s health and even life.