Scooter helmets: coroner raises concerns over no mandatory requirement

On the 24 December 2024, the assistant coroner sitting at Nottingham Coroners Court issued a Regulation 28 Report to Prevent Future Deaths (PFD) arising from a tragic road traffic collision where the deceased lost control of his electric scooter.  The deceased rider was using the scooter on the public highway and was dismounted colliding with the road surface causing a serious head injury.   The rider was not wearing a helmet at the time and sadly died as a result of his injuries.

The coroner raised concerns in the PFD that there was no requirement that riders of electric scooters wear helmets but due to the expectation of their use on the road, and their vulnerability, there was a risk of death to riders of electric scooters and bicycles not wearing protective headwear involved in collisions even at lower speeds.  The PFD was issued to the Secretary of State for Transport to respond by the 18th February 2025.

Daniel Isaacs: Prevention of Future Deaths Report - Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

It is worthwhile repeating that the Chief Coroner’s Guidance on PFD no.5, reiterates that “PFDs should be intended to improve public health, welfare and safety.”

For many of us who have travelled to major cities in the UK will have encountered the extensive use of electric scooters on the public highway and in some instances scooters being stacked up for use on pavements.

The writer had previously written on the mandatory use of cycle helmets  Improving road safety with cycle helmets 10 Oct 2023 - Regulatory Article | Forbes Solicitors and the matters raised equally apply to the use of electric scooters.  As the previously introduced private members bill, The Road Safety (Cycle Helmets) Bill 2022-23 did not progress to the change in government,  it will be of interest to understand the new Labour government’s strategy as part of their Road Safety Strategy and what if any further measures the DfT will take to improve road safety.