Kimberley Supt Hutchison warns of e-scooter dangers in Broome, following Perth pedestrian death
Fifty-one-year-old Thanh Phan was hit from behind by a hire e-scooter allegedly ridden by a backpacker who is accused of being three times over the legal blood alcohol limit on Saturday night.
He died in hospital on Monday after undergoing surgery for a serious head injury.
The British backpacker, 24-year-old Alicia Kemp, has been charged over the crash.
Appearing in Perth Magistrates Court on Tuesday her bail was opposed, with prosecutors arguing she was a flight risk due to being on a working holiday visa.
Ms Kemp will be remanded in custody until July 15.
The latest fatality brings the number of e-scooter-related deaths to five across WA this year.
The growing number of fatalities is a serious concern for the Broome-based Superintendent.
'You only have to drive around Broome for five minutes, and you will see 10 people riding around on e-scooters with no helmets on, some of them at significant speeds,' Supt Hutchison said.
He spotlighted how the tourist town's urban layout puts reckless e-scooter drivers at risk.
'We haven't got the bike path systems in Broome's that some other towns have, especially in the Perth metro area, so a lot of the time e-scooter riders are riding without proper lighting.'
His apprehensions are backed by a medical study showing 190 e-scooter injuries were treated at Broome Hospital between April 2023 and April 2024.
The study also found that the median age for accidents was 26 years-old, equally male and female, that 55 per cent reported being intoxicated, and 75 per cent were not wearing a helmet.
Supt Hutchison is warning the Broome community that if e-scooters go over 25km/h on the road and are heavier than 25 kilograms, they are classifies as off-road motorcycles, which means police can seize them if they are not on the road.
The Shire of Broome said they did not intend to suspend their e-scooter trial after two local governments in Perth ordered their removal in the wake of the pedestrian's death.
'We will continue to monitor the trial closely and assess its outcomes based on local data, community feedback, and safety considerations,' the shire said.
'We acknowledge the concerns raised by recent events at the City of Perth and remain committed to ensuring the safe use of e-scooters in Broome through appropriate regulation and operator engagement.'
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