March 29 – Unified Road Safety Day

“Following the rules is the foundation of safety!” under this slogan, on March 29, a Unified Road Safety Day will be held throughout the republic. It will be dedicated to the topic of preventing unsafe movement on personal mobility devices.

In recent years, these devices have begun to be actively integrated into life, and it is increasingly common to see townspeople moving on popular personal mobility devices. It is obvious that they have a great future. A personal mobility device (PMD) is a device or apparatus, not a vehicle, powered by an engine and intended for individual or joint (if special seats are available) use by pedestrians.

Individuals moving on electric scooters, gyroscooters, and segways are considered pedestrians. Although a PMD is not considered a vehicle, it must have functional brakes and handlebars. In the dark, a person must have a flicker, and a light must be turned on on the PMD. A protective helmet is recommended. It is strictly forbidden to use these devices on the roadway. They are allowed to be ridden on bike paths, and in their absence, on sidewalks, without creating obstacles for pedestrians.

The traffic rules are the main document that describes in the most detailed way the conditions for safe movement for all its participants and regulates every action that occurs on the road. Safety issues should always be considered comprehensively. This means that one should think about personal safety, the serviceability of the equipment, and the route of movement.

Safety rules for riding personal mobility devices: wear protective gear (helmet, gloves, knee pads) while riding; maintain a safe speed. The permissible limit is set at no more than 25 km/h; refrain from sudden and abrupt braking. Perform them smoothly, carefully, and attentively; operate the scooter with both hands; try not to use gadgets and mobile phones while riding; try not to ride on roads with poor surfaces, potholes, and large crowds; do not ride an electric scooter with a passenger; follow traffic rules; keep in mind that riding electric devices is permitted on bicycle lanes and paths, and combined pedestrian-bicycle paths; do not carry heavy or bulky items that can affect the trajectory of movement and your balance while riding; consider the weather. It is not recommended to ride in the rain due to the risk of falls; do not repair or modify electrical equipment yourself; check the equipment's functionality before starting to move.

The rules may seem trivial and pointless to you. But this is not the case at all. Believe us, it is better to wear a helmet or reduce speed an extra time before a pedestrian crossing than to suffer from the consequences of your carelessness later.

It is also forbidden to use personal mobility devices while intoxicated. For violating traffic rules by pedestrians in a state of alcoholic intoxication, a penalty of 3 to 5 base units is provided.