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Man Becomes First Person To Be Convicted Of Drink-Driving On An Electric Scooter

Man Becomes First Person To Be Convicted Of Drink-Driving On An Electric Scooter

Dmitry Gromov has been banned from driving any vehicle for 16 months

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

In what is believed to be a first, a man has been convicted of drink-driving while riding an electric scooter.

Dmitry Gromov was found to have been one-and-a-half times over the legal limit when he crashed into a motorbike in London last year, injuring the driver and passenger.

Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that the 28-year-old had 134 mg of alcohol in 100 ml of blood - the legal limit is 80mg.

Gromov, of Shoreditch, east London, pleaded guilty to drink-driving and careless driving at London Wall in the City of London, and has been banned from driving any vehicle for 16 months.

He was also ordered to pay £3,367.96 in compensation to the two victims.

Gromov, who studied in the UK but is originally from Moscow, was driving a Xaomi Mi M365, which cost around £300, when the incident happened.

Gromov was banned from driving for 16 months after being convicted of drink-driving.
SWNS

While it is legal to buy and sell e-scooters in the UK, it is against the law to ride them on public roads or pavements.

Speaking about the case prior to sentencing, City of London Police Special Constable William Hamilton said Gromov was lucky that his victims were not injured more seriously.

He said: "There has recently been a steep rise in the use of electrically powered scooters on public roads.

"These scooters are currently illegal to ride anywhere, other than on private land.

"Not only did Gromov take the risk of riding an illegal vehicle on the road, he also put himself and others in danger by doing so under the influence of alcohol.

"Gromov will now be disqualified from driving and has had to pay a hefty fine for his carelessness.

"However, the consequences could have been much worse. Whilst this incident happened in the summer, we are well aware many people will be visiting bars and pubs after work over the Christmas period.

"Please make sure you plan a safe and legal route home - do not drink and drive."

It is illegal to ride e-scooters on public roads or pavements in the UK.
PA

A spokesperson for the City of London said: "He pleaded guilty to drink-driving and careless driving. We believe this to be the first prosecution of its kind."

This case comes after an e-scooter clamp-down by the City of London police and the Met, who have been attempting to reduce the number being driven on the roads.

In one week last summer, officers caught almost 100 people illegally riding them.

The ruling also comes a few months after the death of Youtuber and TV star Emily Hartridge, 35, after her e-scooter collided with a lorry in Battersea last July.

Featured Image Credit: SWNS

Topics: UK News, Interesting, crime, Technology