Belarus plans to adjust the Road Traffic Regulations. One of the proposed innovations concerns scooter riders.
In particular, this category of road users, as well as all those who travel by personal mobility devices, will be equated to drivers.
Cyclists have not escaped the changes either. They will probably have to dismount in some cases.
What the traffic police say
The corresponding adjustments are stipulated by the draft decree on amendments to the traffic regulations.
The document will be posted on the Belarusian legal forum for public discussion.
Belta reports this with reference to a statement by the head of the Main Directorate of the State Traffic Safety Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Viktor Rotchenkov.
According to him, the reason for the proposed changes (primarily in relation to those who travel by SPM) is the fact that the number of accidents has increased recently.
The number of accidents involving people using personal mobility devices has increased by 70%, a representative of the State Traffic Inspectorate cited.
SPM
Currently, citizens on SPM are considered pedestrians. The draft decree proposes "transferring" them to the category of "drivers".
Among other things, a new definition of personal mobility aid has emerged.
The term SPM now means "vehicle with a speed limit of 25 kilometers per hour."
By the way, SPM drivers will have to dismount when crossing the roadway at pedestrian crossings.
Cyclists
As for cyclists, they will only be allowed to remain on their bikes at bike crossings.
But there is one condition: it must be equipped with a traffic light regulating the movement of cyclists.
They will also not be required to dismount if they are driving outside the city along the edge of the roadway and crossing an intersection.
In all other cases, drivers of bicycles and SPM (scooters, unicycles, gyro scooters) will be required to dismount, Rotchenkov said.
