On Saturday, Bratislava police dealt with two accidents caused by electric scooter riders. Both have one thing in common — alcohol in their blood. One of the scooter riders ended up in the hospital after falling, the second one crashed into a car. The Bratislava Region police reported on both cases.
This is not a random coincidence, but a common situation on Slovak roads. And if you use a scooter in Bratislava or Košice after an evening with friends, it's worth knowing the legal risks. Hint: a fine is not even the worst outcome.
What happened on Saturday
The first accident was caused by the scooter rider himself: he lost control, fell, and was taken to the hospital with injuries. In the second case, a drunk scooter rider collided with a car. In both cases, police officers conducted a breathalyzer test at the scene — and both were positive.
The police did not report serious consequences for other road users, but both riders will now have to answer for their ride. And the responsibility will be more serious than many think.
Scooter = Vehicle, and 0.0 Permille
The key fact that often comes as a surprise: according to Slovak law, an electric scooter rider on the road or bike path is considered a full vehicle driver. This means the same rules apply to them as to car drivers, including an absolute ban on alcohol — the permissible limit is 0.0 permille.
Next, there is a gradation of punishments, which the Ministry of Interior of Slovakia reminds us of:
- Up to 1 permille — administrative offense with a fine from 150 to 800 euros.
- Over 1 permille — this is already a criminal offense, ohrozenie pod vplyvom návykovej látky (endangering under the influence of an addictive substance). The maximum penalty is imprisonment for up to one year.
Yes, you can actually get a criminal record for riding a scooter. And for Ukrainians who are applying for or extending their pobyt (residence permit), a criminal case is an unnecessary and very unhelpful argument against you.
Statistics: Over Half of Accidents Due to Alcohol
The scale of the problem is clearly visible in the numbers. According to police data for 2023, 241 accidents involving electric scooter riders were recorded in Slovakia. In 134 cases — which is 55.6% — the rider was intoxicated.
The consequences of those accidents: two people died, 20 received serious injuries, and another 170 had minor injuries. An electric scooter can reach speeds of up to 25 km/h, the rider has zero protection, and a drunk person's sense of balance works accordingly. That is why the Bratislava Region police regularly conduct targeted operations specifically on scooter riders and remind them: the rules regarding alcohol are the same for them as for car drivers.
What to Remember
In short, the formula is simple: if you drank, leave the scooter where it is. A few practical points:
- A fine starts at 150 euros — and that's for the minimum violation. For comparison, that's the cost of several months of a public transport pass.
- Over 1 permille — it's no longer a fine, but a criminal case with a real prospect of a criminal record.
- If you crashed into a car or injured a pedestrian while on a scooter — you are responsible as a vehicle driver, including compensation for damages.
- The bike path does not save you: the 0.0 permille rule applies there too.
Bratislava in the summer is a city of terraces, wine, and beer, and scooters parked near bars are always tempting. But, as statistics show, more than half of scooter accidents start with this combination. Saturday's two "lucky ones" got away with a hospital visit and a report — next time, the bill might be in a different currency.
