Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe chairman of the Indiana Senate's transportation committee said he believes a proposal to tighten regulations on motorized scooters could gain legislative approval.
Sen. Tom Wyss, R-Fort Wayne, said he expects to take up the bill the House approved this week that would require scooters to have license plates and their drivers pass a road-sign test.
The bill doesn't include a requirement that scooter drivers have insurance. Wyss has supported an insurance requirement, but told the Evansville Courier & Press that he believes the proposal's restrictions lessen his concerns.
Evansville police Sgt. Jason Cullum said the proposal is a good step, as the department has seen scooters used in drug-dealing and drive-by shootings. Scooter accidents rose to 90 in the city in 2012, up from fewer than 10 in 2008. Authorities also say the vehicles are growing popular with those who have suspended driver's licenses.
Scooter dealers estimate there about 50,000 scooters in use across the state.
Please enable JavaScript to view this content.