Government launches e-scooter investigation after death of Perth dad
Police and Road Safety minister Reece Whitby launched news of the inquiry on Saturday, saying the committee would be considering restrictions such as nighttime curfews in entertainment precincts and other highly populated pedestrian areas.
The move comes after community outrage following the death of engineer Thanh Phan who was waiting to cross a road just after 8.30pm on May 31 when he was allegedly hit from behind by British backpacker Alicia Kemp.
Phan fell forward hitting his head on the road, a Perth court said. He died from his injuries three days later.
Kemp, a 24-year-old psychology and criminology graduate, had allegedly been out drinking with a friend when the pair hired an e-scooter from Perth's CBD. She was allegedly caught on CCTV riding dangerously on footpaths at speed before the collision.
She has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm and dangerous driving occasioning death and remanded in custody.
Phan's family spoke publicly about wanting a review of the safety regulations surrounding e-scooter hire as a result of the tragedy.
Last weekend, WA Police launched a crack-down on e-scooter use, adopting an 'education through enforcement approach'.
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