London study finds e-scooter riders are ‘more likely to run red lights than cyclists’

As Transport for London considers increasing speed limits for e-scooters and lowering the age limit to 16, new research has found that drivers are far more likely to ignore red lights than any other road user, including cyclists.

Two in five e-scooters spotted at 80 different busy intersections in the capital were running red lights, according to research commissioned by dash cam company Nextbase.

By comparison, 28 percent of cyclists ignored red stop signs at busy intersections.

Nextbase commissioned dozens of researchers to observe 80 different London intersections for several hours, recording the behavior of more than 12,500 road users.

The company began the project by “constantly receiving feedback” from users of its dash cams about the high number of drivers and cyclists running red lights.

However, it said there was “insufficient statistical evidence” to support these claims.

Market research agency Shepper conducted the study and its team observed a total of 144 e-scooter riders. Of these, 60 drove through red traffic lights at busy intersections.

In total, the researchers counted 2,509 cyclists. Of these, 697 people did not stop when the light turned red.

The increased likelihood of e-scooter drivers ignoring red traffic lights in London is a major concern, especially as Sadiq Khan’s transport bosses are reportedly “considering” increasing the e-scooter’s top speed to 15.5mph and lowering the age limit for drivers under 16.

The proposal is being considered despite 35 people being hospitalized in London with “serious injuries” after e-scooter rental trials began in the capital in 2021 as part of a “green transport revolution”.

Currently, almost 5,000 scooters for hire in London cannot go faster than 12.5mph.

Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase, said the study was “not intended to target cyclists or e-scooter riders” but was instead conducted to “highlight how a minority of these road users put themselves at serious risk “

He said: “Intersections can be very dangerous places and should be treated with respect. It doesn’t matter if you are a driver, cyclist or e-scooter rider – running a red light is illegal and puts you and others at risk.

“Hiting a pedestrian will change the lives of both you and the victim, and you can easily be hit by a car coming from the other direction. It’s not worth it.

He adds that drivers “worried about liability” when collisions occur at intersections when other road users ignore red lights should consider purchasing a dash cam, which “will help always provide neutral information about who exactly is at fault in the event of an accident.”

Motorists also break the law at intersections

But while Breen said motorists should use technology to protect themselves from claims, it was also found that a small percentage of car, van and truck drivers break the law at busy intersections.

Of the 9,880 motorists recorded, more than one in ten (11 per cent) were distracted in some way while driving through intersections, including 4 per cent who were seen using their mobile phones.

This is despite the introduction of much stricter rules on “touching” hand-held devices while driving, with penalties for offenses in 2017 of up to six points and a minimum £200 fine.

Other distractions included eating and drinking, and smoking and vaping while driving.

Dangers at intersections

The study was carried out to test whether red lights are observed in London at all.

Statistics show that junctions are some of the most dangerous places on UK roads, with 41 per cent of all reported serious cyclist injuries occurring at or within 20 meters of a junction. DfT road accident statistics.

Elephant & Castle was one of the worst for both red light running and driver distraction, while almost no cyclists or e-scooter riders bothered to stop at red lights on Streatham High Road and Greyhound Lane ( 93.5% drove through a red light).

At Walworth Road and East Street, 38 percent of drivers were distracted by their phones or other activities at traffic lights.

Commenting on the findings, James Luckhurst, founder of road safety campaign group Project Edward (Every Day Without a Death on the Road), said: “As a regular visitor to London, I am concerned that motorcyclists, e-scooter riders and cyclists are outright running . red lights on the streets of London.

“They unnecessarily put themselves and others at serious risk just to steal a few seconds of advantage.

“Ignoring traffic signals is not only illegal, but also extremely dangerous, demonstrating a wanton disregard for traffic laws and public safety. Traffic lights apply to everyone on the road, as well as to pedestrians waiting to cross.

“My message is to everyone who uses the capital’s roads to take responsibility for their safety and do their part to reduce deaths and injuries.”