Florida Motor Scooter Safety Guidelines
Michael Babboni
Motorcycle Accidents
Motor scooters offer Florida residents a more affordable form of transportation and are especially helpful if they just need to get around town locally like run to the store or park. However, like with any other vehicle on the road, you are not immune to traffic, congestion, and the possibility of accidents and collisions.So, what can you do to remain as safe as possible while riding a motor scooter in Florida? Read on to find the answer and also a rundown of what you should do if you ever find yourself the victim of an accident while on your scooter.
What Is a Motor Scooter?
Motor scooters are often confused with motorized scooters and mobility scooters. However, a motor scooter is legally allowed to share the roadways while the other two are not. Motor scooters, according to Florida Statutes, are considered a type of motorcycle which makes them subject to the same registration and insurance laws that every licensed driver in Florida faces. You are not required to have a motorcycle endorsement to operate a motor scooter.
Common Motor Scooter Accidents
Since they are considered a type of motorcycle and they are road legal, motor scooters must follow the same traffic laws, signals, and signs as other drivers.
Since they are small like motorcycles, visibility is often diminished which makes these smaller vessels more susceptible to being involved in accidents. This is also compounded by their even smaller size and slower speeds when compared to a traditional motorcycle.
Rear end collisions are probably the most common accident you will find with motor scooters. They often have to travel below the posted speed while in traffic lanes and due to their smaller stature, they may not be seen in time when stopped which can cause another driver to rear-end them because they couldn't stop in time.
Losing control over the motor scooter is another common accident. When this happens, the driver can topple off the scooter and become injured. These accidents are typically due to the lightweight scooter with the smaller tires and higher center of gravity. Even the smallest maneuver or bad road conditions can cause the driver to lose control and possibly fall.
Door strikes are also common and often seldom considered. Due to their slower speeds, scooters often travel closer to the side of the road where the cars are parked which makes them vulnerable to drivers opening their doors and catching them as they pass.
Safety Guidelines and Tips
To stay safe and help avoid falling victim to these common motor scooter accidents, you should use common sense above all else when operating a scooter. Instead of frequenting highly congested or busy streets, consider sticking to lower traffic areas or local streets. You also want to make sure to avoid traveling on roads with a higher posted speed limit than the scooter can actually handle.
It is also not advisable to travel between lanes, driving between cars in traffic, or driving too close to the parked cars on the side of the road. You should also avoid the roads when there are adverse weather conditions like rain that can cause the roadways to become slippery and dangerous.
You should always wear a helmet while operating a motor scooter. Even though you don't have to wear a helmet in Florida if you are over 21 years old and have the proper personal injury insurance, you should still consistently wear head protection to help prevent any serious injuries such as a traumatic brain injury if you are involved in a collision.
Finally, increasing your visibility is also important. Wear brightly colored clothing during the day and reflective clothing at night. Make sure to follow all road rules and stay as alert as possible so you can stay safe while on the road.