LJUBLJANA, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Slovenia will raise the minimum age for driving light motor vehicles, including electric scooters and mopeds, from 12 to 15 starting next year in a bid to improve traffic safety, the government said Thursday.
The decision was adopted at a regular government session, Deputy Prime Minister Matej Arcon told reporters. He said the new legislation aims to reduce the growing number of traffic accidents involving young e-scooter users.
According to official data, 26 traffic accidents involving young e-scooter drivers were registered in 2021, while 76 such accidents have been recorded so far this year.
Underage moped drivers, whose vehicles can reach speeds of up to 25 kilometers per hour, were involved in 40 accidents in 2021 and 99 this year.
Sasa Jevsnik Kafol, acting director of the Traffic Safety Agency, said raising the minimum age is "absolutely necessary," as very young people are often prone to risky behavior, lack maturity and do not have sufficient knowledge of traffic regulations.
Local authorities have also expressed concern. In September, Koper Mayor Ales Brzan proposed restricting e-scooter use among minors, citing increasing problems with modified scooters capable of reaching speeds of over 100 kilometers per hour. ■
