As Transport for London considers increasing speed limits for e-scooters and reducing the age limit to 16, new research reveals drivers are far more likely to ignore red lights than any other road users of the road, including cyclists.

Two in five electric scooters seen at 80 busy intersections in the capital ran red lights, according to a study carried out on behalf of dash cam company Nextbase.

That compares to 28 percent of cyclists who ignored red stop signs at busy intersections.

Electric scooter riders are more likely to jump red lights at busy intersections, according to a new London study carried out on behalf of Nextbase.

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

It undertook the project after “continuously receiving feedback” from users of its dashcams about the high number of runners and cyclists going through red lights.

However, he said there was a “lack of statistical evidence” to support these claims.

Market research agency Shepper conducted the study and its team observed 144 e-scooter users in total. Among them, 60 crossed red lights at busy intersections.

In total, 2,509 cyclists were identified by the researchers. Of these, 697 were observed not stopping when the lights were red.

Researchers at 80 congested intersections in the capital observed 144 e-scooter users in total. Among them, 60 crossed red lights at busy intersections, or 41%.

In total, 2,509 cyclists were identified by the researchers. Of these, 697 were observed not stopping when the lights were red.

The higher likelihood of e-scooter riders ignoring red lights in London is a major concern, particularly with Sadiq Khan’s transport bosses reportedly ‘considering’ increasing the top speed of e-scooters to 25mph and lowering the age limit for drivers to 16.

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

Currently, the approximately 5,000 scooters rented in London cannot exceed a speed of 20 km/h.

Bryn Brooker, head of road safety at Nextbase, said the study “was not designed to attack cyclists or e-scooter riders” but was instead carried out to “highlight how a minority of these road users were putting themselves in serious danger.”

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

“Hitting a pedestrian will change your life and that of the victim, and you could easily be hit by traffic coming from another direction. It’s never worth it.

It adds that drivers “concerned about their liability” in cases where collisions take place at junctions when other road users ignore red lights should consider investing in an on-board camera, which “will enable always provide a neutral record stating exactly who is responsible in the event of an accident.

The higher likelihood of e-scooter riders ignoring red lights in London is a major concern, particularly with Sadiq Khan’s transport bosses reportedly ‘considering’ increasing the top speed of e-scooters to 25mph and lowering the age limit for drivers to 16.

Motorists also break the law at intersections

But while Bryn said motorists should use technology to protect themselves against claims, a small percentage of car, van and truck drivers were also breaking the law at busy intersections.

Of the 9,880 registered motorists, more than one in ten (11 percent) have been distracted in some way while navigating intersections – including 4 percent who were observed using their cell phone.

This is despite the introduction of much stricter rules around “touching” handheld devices while operating a vehicle – and the punishment for being caught was increased in 2017 to six points and a minimum fine of £200.

Other distractions included eating and drinking as well as smoking and vaping while driving.

Dangers at intersections

The study was carried out to check whether red lights were still respected in London.

Junctions are among the most dangerous places on the UK’s roads, with 41% of all reported seriously injured cyclists occurring at or within 20 meters of a junction, according to DfT road casualty statistics.

Elephant & Castle was among the worst in terms of running red lights and distracted drivers, while almost no cyclists or e-scooter riders bothered to stop at the red light at Streatham High Road and Greyhound Lane (93 .5% passing the red light).

Walworth Road and East Street saw a shocking 38 percent rate of drivers distracted by phones or other activity at traffic lights.

Commenting on the findings, James Luckhurst, founder of road safety campaign group Project Edward (Every Day Without A Road Death), said: “As a regular visitor to London, I am concerned to see motorcyclists, road drivers Electric scooters and cyclists blatantly run around. red lights on the streets of London.

“They needlessly put themselves and others in danger, just to steal a few seconds of advantage.”

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

“My message is to everyone who uses the capital’s roads to take responsibility for their own safety and play their part in helping to reduce the number of deaths and injuries.”