| Motor scooters, both electric scooters and | | | | perform errands. Due to their size, |
| gas scooters, are a style of motorcycle that | | | | fuel-efficiency, weight, and typically larger |
| have a step through frame and have become a | | | | storage room than a motorcycle, they are |
| very popular method of travel all over the | | | | ideal in this situation. But in the hands of |
| world. They have been scooting out of show | | | | the youth, without any previous driving |
| rooms at record speed. But what many people | | | | experience, they can be deadly. |
| do not realize is that motor scooters are | | | | |
| classified as motor vehicles when it comes to | | | | The ATV, go carts, dirt bikes and mini bikes |
| highway regulations. And although they are an | | | | are other vehicles that are often owned and |
| object of desire for many they can also be | | | | operated by younger drivers. ATVs are usually |
| dangerous for many. | | | | used off road along with dirt bikes and mini |
| | | | bikes. Go karts are typically driven on paved |
| They are typically regulated by state laws as | | | | tracks specifically made for the go cart. The |
| either motorcycles or mopeds and are subject | | | | go kart, mini bike, dirt bike or ATVs don't |
| to many of the same regulations as other | | | | usually get out on the open road where there |
| motor vehicles. With a careful and alert | | | | are cars to contend with. Therefore they also |
| driver a scooter can be as safe as any other | | | | avoid many of the dangers that scooter |
| vehicle on the road. But accidents frequently | | | | drivers must face. |
| occur when motor scooter drivers think they | | | | |
| are exempt from the conventions that apply to | | | | Motor scooters are the latest craze, |
| automobiles. | | | | especially among the youth market looking for |
| | | | a quick, cheap form of transportation. These |
| Motor scooters (sometimes called mopeds or go | | | | youths can be too young to own a driver's |
| peds) are commonly purchased for use by | | | | license, and the result is a dangerous |
| children and teenagers, most of whom do not | | | | situation. They are more popular than ever, |
| even possess a valid license to drive. | | | | but as their popularity grows, people's |
| Licensed drivers have had a certain amount of | | | | awareness of driving regulations has not kept |
| training behind the wheel of a car, unlike | | | | pace, especially among the younger |
| many motor scooter drivers under the age of | | | | generation. |
| 16. Without proper training children and | | | | |
| young teenagers can easily find themselves in | | | | Kids often think of motor scooters as toys, |
| positions that experienced drivers normally | | | | not as adult vehicles. But a scooter is not a |
| would not. | | | | toy. It's a potentially dangerous motor |
| | | | vehicle subject to certain laws and |
| Darting in and out of traffic with little | | | | regulations. Also, youth often think of |
| driving experience, on a motor scooter that | | | | themselves as being immune to automobile |
| is so small it cannot be seen by other | | | | driving regulations and immune to accidents |
| drivers, poses a hazard to both the scooter | | | | as well. "It won't happen to me" is a very |
| driver and other motorists traveling the | | | | common attitude among the youth. But it's |
| highway. To be safe a motor scooter driver | | | | precisely this attitude that can get them |
| must think of himself as being invisible to | | | | into trouble. |
| the other drivers making their way down the | | | | |
| busy streets. A scooter driver cannot assume | | | | People need to be aware of the potential |
| that other drivers will see them. | | | | motor scooter dangers and take appropriate |
| | | | action. Scooter riders should pay special |
| A safe approach for a scooter driver would be | | | | attention while driving, making sure not to |
| to assume that they are completely invisible | | | | drive erratically, but to be predictable and |
| to other drivers and then act accordingly. A | | | | courteous to other drivers on the road. |
| motor scooter rider must be ready to maneuver | | | | |
| out of harm's if another driver makes a | | | | Both kids and adults need training and |
| sudden unexpected movement. Being safe means | | | | experience before attempting to maneuver |
| staying alert at all times. Being safe also | | | | their scooters out in traffic. If parents |
| means following the rules of the road and not | | | | will take a little time to train their |
| making unnecessary or risky moves in traffic | | | | children, making sure they are aware of the |
| that would cause their moped scooter to dart | | | | rules of the road before they are allowed to |
| out in front of another moving vehicle. | | | | travel on them, it could make driving a |
| Automobile drivers must have time to react to | | | | pleasure instead of a danger. With a little |
| a scooter driver's movements. | | | | training and some wise words of advice we can |
| | | | all make a difference in the lives of the |
| There are many reasons to own a motor | | | | youth. Give them some training and experience |
| scooter. They are often used for traveling | | | | and their motor scooters may be an object of |
| short distances around the neighborhood to | | | | fun instead of injury. |