Latest news with #PoliceandRoadSafety
Perth Now
a day ago
- Politics
- Perth Now
Big new electric scooter review underway
The WA government will launch a statewide investigation into the safety of electric bikes and scooters in response to growing community concern. The government will set up a bipartisan Parliamentary Committee to find ways to strengthen the safety and regulation of the 'e-rideables'. The state has had four fatalities involving e-rideables since the start of the year, including that of Perth dad Thahn Phan, who was allegedly hit by a British tourist last week on a rented e-scooter. The rules around hired e-bikes will be examined. Newswire /Gaye Gerard Credit: News Corp Australia Following that incident the state government said that it needed to do more. 'We have very strict regulations about the speed of e-scooters,' said Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti. 'But it's obvious we need to do more on compliance.' she said. The committee is set to investigate the expansion of penalties, how the vehicles are rented, how they are used in congested areas and how technology like speed limiting can be used to make them safer. Announcing the new committee, Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby said the government wanted to do 'as much as possible' to keep everyone safe from e-rideables. 'I've become increasingly concerned about safety issues around e-rideables and e-scooters and I'm particularly concerned about the safety and the vulnerability of pedestrians as well as those people who ride these devices,' Mr Whitby said. 'And I think there's a growing community concern also.' Police and Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby announced the Parliamentary Committee. Supplied Credit: Supplied Other measures to be considered by the committee are night-time curfews and the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in entertainment districts. Asked by reporters on Saturday morning, Mr Whitby said a ban of the vehicles on footpaths would 'absolutely' be considered. Mr Whitby said it was important that the state had a bipartisan approach to the reforms, acknowledging that he wanted the community to work together. The committee will deliver its report in September and Mr Whitby said in the meantime the police would need to maintain 'vigilance' in their enforcement. E-bikes have come under fire nationally in recent months as fatalities continue to mount.
The Age
a day ago
- The Age
Government launches e-scooter investigation after death of Perth dad
A parliamentary committee will be tasked with examining e-scooter rules and regulations as the government pledges to do more to keep the community safe following the death of a beloved Perth dad two weeks ago. 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'.
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Government launches e-scooter investigation after death of Perth dad
A parliamentary committee will be tasked with examining e-scooter rules and regulations as the government pledges to do more to keep the community safe following the death of a beloved Perth dad two weeks ago. 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'.
