A serious crash involving an electric scooter and a car has rocked a normally quiet neighbourhood in Lanzarote, with police revealing the scooter rider was four times over the legal alcohol limit and riding an illegally modified vehicle.
The accident happened on 10th May in the Titerroy area of Arrecife, warranting a swift response from the emergency services. The scooter rider, who suffered multiple serious injuries, was treated at the scene before being rushed to hospital.
According to the Local Police's Accident Unit, the man ignored a STOP sign before crashing into a car. Officers later confirmed he was heavily intoxicated and riding a scooter that had been illegally modified to reach speeds of more than 50 km/h, double the 25 km/h legal limit for personal mobility vehicles in Spain, which includes the Canary Islands.
The incident has caused fresh concern over the growing misuse of e-scooters and prompted calls for tougher enforcement of existing rules.
Under Spanish law, personal mobility vehicles (PMVs) are not allowed on pavements and must obey all traffic signals. Riders are banned from using mobile phones or wearing headphones, and while helmets aren't currently compulsory, they are strongly advised. Insurance is also recommended but not legally required.
Local authorities say the crash could have ended even more tragically and are urging riders to respect road laws, warning that reckless behaviour puts both riders and other road users at risk.
The crash has reignited a wider debate in Spain over how to regulate the booming use of e-scooters, with some calling for mandatory helmets and stricter penalties for violations.
