UMW needs to improve enforcement tactics related to electronic scooter violations

by GARRETT HENNESSEY

Contributing Writer

Although UMW has released a scooter policy that prohibits riders from speeding through the covered walkway between Simpson Library and Woodard Hall, more than once, I have found myself walking to class and heard an electric scooter drawing near. Rather than risk getting hurt by waiting to see if the scooter would swerve, I jumped out of the way to avoid a potential collision. Initially, it was a minor inconvenience really; that’s what happens when there is a small tunnel area with a plethora of students competing to get to class. Eventually, though, it began to happen every time I walked back and forth to class. Every time I walk now, I am on edge wondering when I may have to jump to the left or right to evade a racing scooter. 

Since the beginning of the academic year, the University of Mary Washington campus has fallen victim to an evident increase in scooter traffic. While the university has created policies to help address the influx of scooters, greater enforcement needs to take place to protect student safety. In the United States, there has been a 450% increase in emergency room visits regarding the use of electric scooters from 2017-2021. 

The sudden looming presence of scooters on campus, once a mere inconvenience, has blossomed into a widespread issue. There are plenty of valid reasons why scooters are a preferred method of transportation such as athlete recovery, speed and ease. While I recognize the benefits of scooters as a mode of transportation, it needs to be acknowledged that there are several factors that can foster a crash. 

Inexperienced riding, pedestrians or other obstacles such as unideal weather conditions can all cause crashes. Often these factors, along with distracted driving, result in close calls or near crashes. It is important to understand these factors and practice mindful driving. In essence, scooters should be treated as bikes and cars. The user of the scooter must carefully be aware of their surroundings and move at an appropriate speed when they are on the scooter. 

In November, UMW Student Affairs sent a school-wide email about scooter-related safety concerns. Later that month, The Weekly Ringer ran an article on the existing guidelines at the time, highlighting student concerns as well. Despite this coverage taking place last semester, these same issues still persist. 

More recently, on Feb. 28, the UMW Division of Student Affairs officially approved and adopted the Motorized Scooters and Electric Power-Assisted Bicycles Policy. The policy states that riders must obey traffic regulations, including traffic lights yielding to pedestrians in crosswalks, use hand signals when turning, not ride under the influence of alcohol or drugs, wear headphones, use a mobile device while riding or operate the vehicle carelessly and recklessly.

While these policies are a welcome improvement and a necessary step in the right direction, a viable solution to enforcement and to ensure pedestrian safety in high-traffic areas, like the tunnel between Simpson Library and Woodard Hall, would be to put up a sign advising that those who use scooters hop off and walk with their vehicles through the walkway. It would be an effective measure to moderate scooter use and make campus safer. 

No one should be worried they will be taken out by a speeding scooter on their way to class and UMW should do more to enforce safety policies.