The attorneys at McGee, Lerer & Associates are very concerned that the geo-fencing technology used by electric scooter companies is creating a safety hazard.
What Is Geo-Fencing?
Geo-fencing allows scooter companies – and cities – the ability to create no-ride and no-parking zones. Using GPS, the companies broadcast an electronic fence around a designated area. If a rider enters a geo-fenced area, which is marked as a red zone on the scooter app’s map, the scooter will automatically stop or slow to 5 mph. Cities are looking at this development as a tech solution that will protect pedestrians.
Is Geo-Fencing Safe?
In the opinion of our firm’s attorneys, geo-fencing is not safe. We have spoken to many scooter riders who were injured when their scooters suddenly, and without warning, either stopped or dramatically slowed down, causing the riders to lose balance and crash. A rider can sustain significant and even life-threatening injuries if they are thrown off a scooter only to land in front of a passing car.
One of the problems posed by geo-fencing is its imprecision. One of our clients was riding an electric scooter in Venice, California. The Venice Canal streets near Venice Beach are geo-fenced to keep people from dumping scooters into the canals. Our client was a block and a half away from the geo-fenced area when his Bird scooter suddenly shut off, throwing him off the scooter and injuring him. He was not within the geo-fenced area and knew nothing about the geo-fenced area, yet his scooter shut off.
Until scooter companies like Bird and Lime can figure out a way to safely use geo-fencing, it should not be used because of its potential to injure riders.
If you have been injured in an e-scooter accident, call McGee, Lerer & Associates to schedule a free consultation: (310) 692-9582. If we take your case, there is no up-front fee. We only get paid if we secure a settlement or verdict on your behalf.