Bus firm warns of e-scooter dangers
Shocking CCTV footage has captured two young people riding an e-scooter dangerously close behind a moving bus in Hawick, prompting Borders Buses to warn that the incident could easily have ended in tragedy.
The bus company is urging people to think twice about the dangers of riding e-scooters on public roads following the incident in Burnfoot.
The footage highlights just how little room there is to react if a bus needs to brake suddenly, putting the riders, passengers and other road users at serious risk.
The operator is using the incident to remind people that dangerous behaviour around buses can have devastating consequences and is asking parents and carers to speak to young people about staying safe.
Lee Young, operations manager at Borders Buses (Galashiels), said: “The safety of our passengers, drivers and everyone else using our roads is our absolute priority. Watching the CCTV footage, it's clear how quickly this situation could have turned into a tragedy.
“A bus can weigh up to 20 tonnes and if it has to brake suddenly, anyone riding directly behind it has very little chance of stopping in time. We hope this footage serves as a powerful reminder that one split-second decision can have life-changing consequences.
“We're asking parents and carers to speak to young people about using e-scooters responsibly and safely. No journey or moment of fun is worth risking a life.”
Borders Buses operates CCTV across its fleet to help protect passengers, drivers and the wider community. Footage is regularly used to support investigations into dangerous or anti-social behaviour.