Penang steps up efforts to keep escooters off the road

GEORGE TOWN: The Penang Island City Council is monitoring escooter activities in the city following complaints from the public.

In a Facebook statement on Monday (April 18), the council said the monitoring was being conducted at several hotspots in the George Town area focusing on reckless use of escooters.

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The first operation was conducted from 11pm to 2am on Sunday (April 17) following a viral video on social media showing teenagers riding escooters recklessly at Lebuh Pantai at around 2am a few days ago.

"Currently, the usage of escooters is prohibited on the road and it is an offence under Section 54 of the Road Transport Act 1987.

"Normally, escooters are only used on the pavement or in an area separate from main roads," the statement said.

The council also noted that escooter activity on roads had become rampant of late and a meeting was held with the Road Transport Department (JPJ) and police to tackle the problem.

It said so far, it had not issued any licences for escooters and was monitoring their usage as a matter of public safety.

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During the operation on Sunday, council enforcement officers advised escooter providers to stop their customers from travelling on roads.

At the same time, the council also advised the public not to ride escooters on the road, reminding them that the usage of such vehicles was a matter of individual responsibility.

The statement added that the council will continue to collaborate with police and JPJ to ensure that the roads are safe for all users.

Council Enforcement Department director Azman Sirun stressed that escooters are banned from roads and those who defy the law can be fined under the Road Transport Act.

"As for the council, we will continue to advise them that riding escooters on the road is prohibited and dangerous," he said.

He said another operation would be conducted in collaboration with the police on Monday.