Court upholds fine for illegally modified e-scooter

The state administrative court has upheld a fine against a 15-year-old for riding an illegally modified e-scooter, ORF reported. The teenager had challenged the amount of the penalty.

When the boy saw police in April, he turned around and fled. The court said he was travelling well above the permitted speed of 25 kilometres per hour. Officers stopped him after a brief chase.

On a police test stand, the e-scooter reached a top speed of 59 kilometres per hour, almost 35 kilometres per hour above the limit.

The Salzburg state police directorate had already reduced the original fine from 300 euros to 220 euros at the teenager’s request.

The student then appealed to the state administrative court, which has now rejected his complaint. The judge said the 15-year-old had already received an especially lenient penalty.

Using illegally modified e-scooters can carry a fine of up to 10,000 euros or up to six weeks in prison. In addition to the 220-euro fine, the teenager must pay 44 euros in court costs.