During the Cheltenham Festival, local police have been actively stopping racegoers from riding e-scooters while intoxicated, conducting breath tests to prevent unsafe journeys. Cheltenham’s fleet of for-hire e-scooters offers a convenient way to travel between pubs, bars, and the train station after a day at the races. However, Gloucestershire Police have been emphasizing that e-scooters are legally classified as motor vehicles, making drink-riding a punishable offense.
Officers have been engaging directly with festival attendees, offering breath tests to check their blood alcohol levels and raising awareness about the legal consequences. Over the four-day event, more than 50 individuals have voluntarily taken breath tests, with many exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath.
One notable case involved a racegoer who, after requesting a breath test, registered a reading of 85 micrograms—more than double the legal limit. This individual wisely chose to take a bus instead of risking a ride on an e-scooter.
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In a statement on social media, Gloucestershire Police highlighted the positive response from the public and praised the cooperation of racegoers. They noted some were surprised to find they were under the legal limit despite feeling intoxicated, underscoring the importance of testing.
Voi, the operator of Cheltenham’s e-scooter scheme, also stresses the dangers of intoxicated riding, calling it “a key cause of incidents involving e-scooters.” Their website reminds users that alcohol and traffic do not mix, no matter the vehicle.
Through these efforts, authorities hope to keep the festival safe and prevent accidents caused by impaired scooter riders.