ROP, experts warn against children riding e-scooters on public roads

2026-03-07 - 17:37

Muscat – With electric scooters becoming increasingly popular across the sultanate, the Royal Oman Police (ROP) has issued a warning over the growing number of children riding the devices on public roads without supervision or protective gear. ‘The road is not a playground,’ the police stressed in a safety advisory circulated through its media platforms, urging parents to closely monitor their children’s use of electric scooters, particularly in residential neighbourhoods and internal streets where traffic may appear light but remains constant. According to the ROP, the recent surge in scooter use among children has coincided with several accidents involving young riders and pedestrians, resulting in injuries of varying severity. Many of these incidents, police said, are linked to a lack of supervision and failure to follow basic safety requirements. Despite their small size, electric scooters are capable of reaching speeds that can exceed a child’s ability to control them safely. Sudden braking, uneven road surfaces or unexpected vehicle movements can easily lead to loss of balance or collisions. The ROP emphasised the importance of protective equipment such as helmets, knee pads and elbow guards, while warning against riding scooters on roads designated for vehicles, near intersections or close to parking exits where visibility is limited. Safety and security expert Sultan al Rawahi said children often lack the ability to accurately judge distances and vehicle speeds. “Their reaction time in emergency situations is slower than that of adults,” he noted, adding that this makes their presence on public roads particularly hazardous. Al Rawahi added that scooter use among children tends to increase during evening hours, especially in Ramadan, when neighbourhoods and markets become busier and visibility is reduced. He also pointed out that residential infrastructure was not designed to accommodate light electric vehicles operated by children, as most internal streets lack designated lanes or warning signs to alert drivers. Some commercially available scooter models can exceed speeds of 25km/h, which can lead to serious injuries if a child loses balance or is startled by a vehicle emerging from a parking space, he said. From a medical perspective, Dr Mariam al Harthi warned that scooter-related accidents can result in severe injuries, particularly head trauma and fractures. She cited international studies indicating a strong link between the absence of helmets and higher rates of brain injuries among children. Dr Mariam called for stronger safety awareness programmes in schools and greater engagement with families to promote precautionary habits from an early age. Experts also emphasised the need to create safe recreational spaces within residential communities, urging municipalities and developers to incorporate dedicated pathways for scooters and bicycles in parks and open areas. The ROP reiterated that child safety begins at home, stressing that purchasing a scooter should be accompanied by guidance, supervision and consistent reinforcement of traffic rules. Protecting young lives, the police added, requires coordinated efforts from families, schools and the wider community.