SUSSEX COUNTY, Del.- The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) is concerned over an increase in scooter crashes over the past several weeks.
That concern continues to grow for scooter and bike riders as the busiest time of year at the beaches continues. Renters of scooters at Scooter City on Rehoboth Avenue take a test ride on a back lot before getting the go ahead to take it out on the roads. Mechanic Matthew Fickett says staying aware of your surroundings is important.
"Just always be alert. Look both ways," Fickett said. "Always treat it like you are always going to get hit. Stay out of the bike lane in Lewes and in town in Rehoboth and in Dewey. Always in the right hand lane except when making a U-turn."
On Thursday, two scooter crashes happened in Sussex County. In Fenwick Island, a 70-year-old man was airlifted after a scooter crash there and in Lewes a woman was injured near the intersection of Beaver dam Road and dairy Farm Road.
Earlier this week a man on a moped was taken to the hospital in critical condition after being hit by a car that was turning right. DelDOT Director of Community Relations C.R. McLeod says the severity of some of the accidents should be a wake-up call.
"The fact that folks are having to be airlifted out for emergency treatment is definitely alarming," McLeod said. "Again that's why we definitely want to stress this safety component for operators of automobiles and for these scooters and mopeds."
Even though bicycles are not motorized vehicles, DelDOT Bicycle Coordinator John Fiori says bicyclists need to take precautions as they share the road with drivers.
"Wear a helmet," Fiori said. "It's the best way to be safe when riding a bicycle because it protects your head. Obey all the Delaware laws concerning bicycling."
Experts say at night, riders should wear clothing that makes them visible and be extra careful of their surroundings.
DelDOT is hosting more bicycle checkpoints during the rest of July and August. The free events include bicycle tune-ups and light and helmet giveaways. The next one is July 22 at the Nike outlet.
