Newsroom

An e-scooter rider has lost his driver's licence after being caught riding a rental scooter while he was three times over the legal blood alcohol limit.

A 32-year-old Fitzroy North man riding a trial-operated e-scooter was intercepted by police at the intersection of Lonsdale Street and Exhibition Street in Melbourne’s CBD, around 5.45pm on Friday 28 July 2023.

The man was immediately disqualified from driving for 13 months, and fined $817. He was also fined $240 for not wearing a helmet.

E-scooter riders caught with a blood alcohol limit over 0.05 can lose their driver’s licence and incur the same penalties as they would if they were in charge of a car.

Police were in Melbourne’s CBD as part of Operation Halo, a road policing initiative focused on addressing the behaviour that leads to trauma among the most vulnerable road users, including vehicles blocking bike lanes and failing to give way at pedestrian crossings, as well as distraction offences, speed and impaired driving.

The operation is being conducted in areas of high traffic, where lots of people are also walking and riding – Melbourne, Yarra, Port Phillip, Merri-bek, Stonnington and Boroondara – and will continue throughout August and September.

Road Policing Operations and Investigations Division Superintendent, John Fitzpatrick says: "The incident should serve as a lesson to all e-scooter riders that you are not immune from the drink driving laws.

“Many people may not be aware you can and will lose your driver’s licence if you are caught riding an e-scooter over the legal alcohol limit.

“Alarmingly, this rider was also caught not wearing a helmet – he was lucky to not be seriously injured given he was riding while impaired.

“Nobody should be getting behind the wheel of any vehicle if they’ve been drinking and over the limit – there are so many alternative transport options available in the CBD to ensure you make it home safely.

“We will continue to be on the lookout for behaviour that puts other road users at risk."