During the Cheltenham Festival, police have been actively stopping racegoers from riding e-scooters while intoxicated, conducting breath tests to prevent dangerous drink-riding incidents. The town’s for-hire e-scooter fleet offers a convenient way for attendees to get back to the train station or nearby pubs, but authorities are keen to raise awareness about the risks and legal consequences of riding under the influence.
Gloucestershire Police officers have been engaging directly with festival visitors, many of whom were surprised to learn that e-scooters are legally classified as motor vehicles. This classification means that operating one while over the legal alcohol limit is treated the same as drink-driving in a car.
So far, more than 50 people have voluntarily taken breath tests during the four-day event, with many exceeding the legal limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 millilitres of breath. One individual tested at 85 micrograms—more than double the legal limit—and subsequently opted to take the bus instead of riding an e-scooter.
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A spokesperson from Gloucestershire Police shared on Facebook that racegoers have responded positively to the initiative, appreciating the effort to raise awareness. “Some participants were surprised to discover they were over the legal limit since they thought they were less impaired,” the spokesperson noted.
Voi, the operator behind Cheltenham’s e-scooter scheme, also acknowledges that intoxicated riding significantly contributes to accidents involving e-scooters. Their website emphasizes the importance of safety by stating, “No matter which vehicle you operate, it’s fair to say that alcohol and traffic just don’t mix.”
Together, these measures aim to keep festival attendees safe and reduce accidents caused by impaired riding during the popular racing event.