into the legality of motorised scooters, he reported yesterday.

And the Police Service hopes to begin preparing a document that will address concerns surrounding motorised skateboards and scooters and push scooters.

The news comes after Police reported last week that officers in the Service's Traffic Department had asked Mr. Tokunbo to investigate the legality of the vehicles.

Asked what he had determined about them, in particular the scooters which have a motor attached to the back, Mr. Tokunbo said he had not been asked to look into them.

Police later confirmed that the Traffic Department raised several areas of concern with the motorised skateboards which appeared on the Island around March -- including liability, safety and licensing -- which needed the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

"It was understood that those concerns were to be forwarded ,'' said a Police spokesperson.

"If the DPP is stating that no file has been received, then obviously we need to find out what has happened between here and there and are in the process of doing so.'' The spokesperson continued: "Certainly it is an issue that has languished already for six months and, now with the added concern posed by scooters and, indeed what we hear may soon be motorised scooters, it is essential that the process gets moving with some urgency on our part.

"Technology continues to change, and with it engine sizes and vehicle classification. Yet the legislation is at least 50 years old.'' The spokesperson said: "We hope to be able to prepare a more definitive document that will address these concerns and expect to make a definitive Press statement in this regard that will advise members of the public, particularly parents, in the very near future.'' Road Safety Officer Roxanne Christopher questioned the safety of the motorised scooters and the more popular push models following a number of accidents and the sighting of a number of scooter users not wearing helmets or other safety gear.

US lawmakers are moving to make it mandatory for push scooter riders to wear helmets like those worn by bicyclists and inline skaters.

And the High Court in Britain is deciding on the legal status of motorised scooters after magistrates ruled that they should not be classed as motor vehicles.

A written decision is expected from the High Court judges soon.

Editorial: Page 4