Delco children hospitalized after e-scooter collision for the second time this summer; lawmakers call for safety changes.
Two children from Delaware County are currently hospitalized following a disturbing collision involving a pickup truck and their electric scooter in Springfield Township. The accident, which occurred on Tuesday evening in the 400 block of N. Bishop Avenue, left one 14-year-old boy in critical condition, while the other, also 14, suffered various injuries including bruises and a likely broken arm. Both boys were riding the same scooter when the incident took place.
This latest crash brings to light a troubling pattern of incidents involving electric scooters, echoing the tragic case of 12-year-old Abigail Gillon, who succumbed to injuries sustained in a similar accident in June while riding with a friend. Abigail’s death has since inspired a growing movement in Delaware County for the passage of “Abby’s Law,” aimed at enhancing safety regulations surrounding the use of e-scooters.
The Springfield collision has reignited discussions among community members about the need for stricter regulations governing electric scooter usage. Advocates like Ron Kralle, Abigail Gillon’s uncle, are rallying for legislative changes to ensure the safety of young riders. Kralle has established a Facebook page dedicated to Abby’s Law, which has rapidly garnered over 3,000 followers within weeks of its inception. Supporters from across the state have expressed their concerns and shared personal accounts that illustrate a growing apprehension about e-scooter safety, prompting some parents to dispose of their children’s scooters altogether.
Current Pennsylvania law restricts the operation of electric scooters to private property, but enforcement of this regulation has been inconsistent, with municipalities displaying varied levels of compliance. By contrast, Ridley Township has reaffirmed its local ordinance, which prohibits e-scooter usage on all roadways and sidewalks.
Springfield Police Lt. David DiTrolio voiced concerns about the increasing prevalence of e-scooters on public roads, likening them to toys inappropriate for road use. He noted that while there are no specific local regulations governing e-scooter operation in Springfield, the department is committed to enforcing state laws.
State Senator Tim Kearney, a proponent of Abby’s Law, acknowledges the growing adoption of e-scooters among both youth and adults across Pennsylvania. Kearney’s proposed legislation aims to redefine electric scooters within the state’s motor vehicle code, facilitating more effective local regulations while instituting stricter age requirements and mandatory helmet use for minors. The anticipated measures include a public awareness campaign to educate drivers on e-scooter safety.
Although Kearney expects resistance from adult commuters who rely on e-scooters for transportation, he firmly believes that safety for younger riders should take precedence. As the community contemplates the broader implications of these tragic incidents, Abby’s Law represents a crucial step toward ensuring the safety and well-being of all e-scooter users.
The investigation into the most recent crash is ongoing, as authorities work to ascertain the circumstances that led to this unfortunate event and further develop measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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