Aussie council's $50,000 move prompts worried dad to scour roads for weeks
An Aussie dad has spent the last few weeks scouring every roadside in his suburb in dreaded anticipation of a new arrival — e-scooters.
Matthew Zammit is fighting to keep the controversial mode of transportation off the streets of north Melbourne after the Darebin City Council revealed a $50,000 trial of share hire e-scooters and e-bikes would kick off in June. The decision caused waves when it was announced late last year, just a week after the City of Melbourne voted to ditch the electronic two-wheelers following a string of complaints.
At the time, Darebin's then-mayor Susanne Newton told the ABC that despite safety concerns, she believed the benefits of the trial would outweigh the risks, and that she was 'pretty comfortable' with the technology hire companies have in place.
However, Zammit disagrees, arguing residents will undoubtedly 'get hurt'. 'You hit a pothole on [an e-scooter] and all the weight is up the back, so it becomes like a lever and just catapults you forward, headfirst into whatever's in front of you,' he told 9News.
Since their introduction in Australia in 2018, e-scooters have become a hotly-contested subject due to soaring rates of serious injuries and fatal collisions, including a Perth dad who was recently hit by one as he walked to pick up dinner. He died several days later, on June 3, in hospital.
From January, 2020 to April this year, there have been 30 fatalities nationwide, with more than 10 of them being children. Staggering research from the University of Melbourne revealed that one in three e-scooter deaths in the last five years have been children, prompting a plea to parents not to buy the electric scooters for their kids.
'They end up with lots of soft tissue and facial fractures, sometimes half or all of their teeth missing, and unfortunately sometimes really significant head injuries,' Dr Sarah Whitelaw from the Royal Melbourne Hospital said.
Earlier this week, Yahoo News published heart-stopping dashcam footage of a Queensland child's very close call after she suddenly swerved in front of a car while riding an e-scooter without a helmet. Driver Emma Ogilvie said the incident left her feeling 'so shaken'.
'She's just lucky I pay attention when I drive and I saw her. It could've been a lot worse, and although it would't have been my fault, I couldn't live with myself if anything else happened,' she told Yahoo.
Zammit, a survivor of road trauma, has created a Change.org petition to urge Darebin City Council to reverse what he says is an 'expensive and harmful' decision.
'As a result of this road trauma I live with significant disabilities, including an acquired brain injury,' he wrote on the website. 'It has changed the course of my life, and I am startled by the level of brain injury being inflicted on others due to shared e-scooters.'
Speaking to 9News, Zammit said the last thing he wants is to see someone else be severely injured or killed while riding an e-scooter on his local streets. 'You see statistics of people seriously injured on roads and you can very easily just see a number, but each one of those serious injuries is a long journey of recovery,' he said.
'And in many cases, you're not going back to what you were. You're not getting back what you had... your life has changed forever.'
🚘 Dashcam captures driver's 'heart attack' e-scooter moment in front of car
🧒 Urgent plea to Aussie parents over deadly e-scooter trend
👀 Little-known road rule could see you lose your licence
Darebin's new mayor Kristin Olaris has insisted the council is 'putting safety and accessibility at the centre' of its impending trial, according to 9News.
Peter McLean, CEO of Bicycle NSW, told Yahoo there are multiple factors that contribute to e-scooter and e-bike safety, including government regulations, police enforcement and parental responsibility.
'E-scooter sales have been significantly increasing over time and tens of thousands of them are being sold each and every year across Australia,' he said. 'They do provide a significant improvement in autonomous transport and transportation, which is very, very positive. However, we do have to be very, very careful how we use them.
'If you're not riding them correctly then they are extremely dangerous and will undoubtedly injure the user and of course, other road users as well.'
Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.
You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
19 minutes ago
- CBS News
Chicago officials detail preparation efforts, offer tips ahead of this weekend's extreme heat
With the extreme heat approaching, pools and waterparks will be busy, but according to city officials, taking a dip will not be the only precaution people will need this weekend. Scorching temperatures and high humidity are a bad combo, especially when that's the forecast for three days in a row, making heat stroke a real possibility. On Friday, city officials, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Office of Emergency Management and Communications, discussed the measures they're taking ahead of and during the first heat wave of the year. The city said it plans to operate cooling centers, but beware that many of them are only open on weekdays. In that case, libraries, park district buildings, and police stations are some spots where people can find some relief over the weekend. Officials also shared some alarming numbers showing how dangerous a heat wave can be. "Over the last three years, we have recorded 485 heat-related deaths in Chicago and more than 700 heat-related emergency department visits," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige said. She added that men are more likely to experience a heat-related emergency than women. OEMC executive director Francisco Velez said they are monitoring the heat closely. "OEMC is working directly with the National Weather Center 24/7 to monitor the weather events and will alert residents if conditions worsen. OEMC is coordinating with city departments and sister agencies to ensure services and resources are available in response to the heat," he said. Mayor Johnson also stressed the importance of staying informed and checking on those with health conditions. "Over the next few days, make sure that we check in on our loved ones and neighbors, especially our seniors and those with health conditions, individuals with disabilities. We do have cooling locations all over the city, we have street outreach workers who are available as well to connect the unhoused Chicagoans with those resources," Johnson said. Doctors said seniors and anyone who takes beta blockers, diuretics, and sedatives are the most at risk. If you are worried about someone who lives in Chicago and can't make contact with them, you're encouraged to call 311 and request a well-being check.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
More trouble for state's forensic service
Queensland's top forensic scientist Linzi Wilson-Wilde has been immediately suspended over fears DNA tests have been contaminated. Attorney-General Deb Frecklington issued a statement late on Friday following advice she received that Forensic Science Queensland had paused testing after contamination issues were identified. 'I moved to immediately suspend, pending a show cause notice for removal, the Director of Forensic Science Queensland,' Ms Frecklington said in a statement. The organisation supports criminal and coronial investigations with forensic biology and chemistry services. Ms Frecklington said the forensic lab would pause operations for seven days, then carry out a review to determine the next steps. She said the government has been advised Forensic Science Queensland would still process urgent matters using appropriate controls. More to come.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Summer 2025 brings killer heat. Here are some surprising ways to stay safe.
Summer 2025 has arrived. It's starting off hot, and the forecast says get used to it. A hot summer isn't just uncomfortable — it's dangerous. Heat killed more people in the United States in 2024 than floods, tornadoes, wind or hurricanes, according to a report on weather-related fatalities published by the National Weather Service. The 30-year average tells the same story. Heat danger comes in many different forms. Sun exposure can damage your skin; sweating dehydrates you; humidity prevents sweat from doing its job; your body stops functioning property when it gets too hot. That can all quickly cascade into a life-threatening or deadly illness, even in otherwise healthy people. Some heat safety tips are obvious — but some are surprising. (Do you know how much water to drink while in the heat? It's probably more than you think.) Here's what to know: Keep your cool: Experts on how to stay safe, avoid sunburns in record-high temps Use sunblock or sunscreen: And reapply it regularly (every 2 hours is a good baseline.) Dress for the heat: Pick loose fitting, light colored and lightweight clothes, the National Weather Service recommends. Don't leave kids or pets in the car: The temperature quickly becomes deadly — even if it's not that hot outside. Check the weather: Your favorite weather app should have a wealth of information about UV index (for sunblock purposes), heat warnings and the feels-like temperature (more on why that's important below.) has additional information about the forecast and heat risk. Bring water: You'll need multiple bottles of water per person if you're spending extended time out in the sun. (How many bottles? Read more here.) Seek shade and air conditioning: Minimize your risk by staying cool and avoiding direct sun when you can. Know your risks: Heat is dangerous for everyone, but some people are more vulnerable than others. Being a child, over 65 or pregnant puts you at greater risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. How long does sunscreen last? A guide to expiration dates, and if waterproof really works When the humidity is high, sweating isn't as effective at cooling the body. That makes it feel hotter than it is — and increases the danger. The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature. When the heat index reaches 105 degrees or higher, conditions can quickly become dangerous for both people and pets. A lot. In Arizona, officials recommend drinking about 65 ounces of water a day, even if you're mostly indoors. It's even more urgent for people working outdoors in extreme heat. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration says outdoor workers should drink at least 8 ounces of water every 20 minutes, even if they're not thirsty. If you're drinking 16-ounce bottles of water, that would be 3 bottles every 2 hours. Your body may need to replenish electrolytes – but be careful about sugary or caffeinated drinks if you're trying to stay hydrated. Kelly Olino, assistant professor of surgical oncology at the Yale School of Medicine, previously told USA TODAY that people can dilute a bottle of Gatorade with water to replenish both water and replace salt losses from extended sweating. "In the extreme heat, with sweating, we're losing pure water, but we're also losing salt," she said. Excessive heat and humidity make it difficult for your body to regulate its temperature. Here are some of the signs and symptoms of heat illness, according to the CDC. The National Athletic Trainers' Association says heat stroke can quickly turn deadly. The association says to watch out for: Altered consciousness ("seizures, confusion, emotional instability, irrational behavior or decreased mental acuity") Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Headache, dizziness or weakness Increased heart rate Decreased blood pressure or fast breathing Dehydration Combativeness A person with a temperature around 104 degrees is in a life-threatening situation — they need immediate medical treatment. One incredibly effective treatment: An ice-filled tub. Contributing: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA TODAY; Raphael Romero Ruiz, Arizona Republic; Cheryl McCloud, Pensacola News Journal This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Summer 2025 heat safety tips: How much water to drink and more
