A recent crash involving two University of Florida coeds emphasizes that motor scooter drivers need to exercise as much caution as motorcycle riders. The two students were injured when the motor scooter they were driving crashed into a car at the corner of Southwest 34th Street and Southwest Avenue in Gainesville.
The accident injured the two members of the UF women’s lacrosse team in the early afternoon. While one of the women suffered mild injuries, the other was taken to the hospital where she was treated for facial injuries that required stitches.
It was not reported if either of the women were wearing a helmet.
Motor Scooters in Florida
While motor scooters have smaller engines than motorcycles (classified as 50 cc’s and under in Florida), they are not toys and are considered motor vehicles. The state requires that anybody driving a motor scooter have a valid Class E license; however, Florida doesn’t require the additional eight-hour certified Rider Course needed to obtain a motorcycle license.
According to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), the majority of scooter crashes occur in intersections when cars turn left in front of them. They recommend that scooter drivers search for potential hazards, evaluate any possible hazards (such as turning vehicles) and then execute the proper action to avoid the threat.
Vehicle Crash Prevention
While the popularity of motor scooters keeps going up as the price of gas goes up, the potential for injuries on Florida’s streets remains the same. The Gainesville motorcycle accident attorneys at Farah & Farah are ready to take your call at (800) 533-3555 if you were injured in a motor scooter or motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault.
Sources: http://www.alligator.org/sports/article_b416e35e-505b-11e1-8b05-0019bb2963f4.html
http://online2.msf-usa.org/msf/Default.aspx