SAN DIEGO (KGTV) - First responders say there's been a spike in scooter crashes, many involving intoxicated drivers. This Cinco de Mayo weekend, they're bracing for more accidents.
"I see the clubs going up, and I wasn't expecting it, but I forgot it was Cinco de Mayo so you know that's to be expected," Jade Pittman said. She is in town from Los Angeles visiting, and said while the scooters are a novelty, they can be dangerous.
"If you got two people going fast, if one of you is off, it's like boom," Self-Proclaimed Boardwalk Aficionado Kirk Christiansen said.
A San Diego Police Officer said every weekend he sees 10-20 scooter crashes, all ending up in the hospital. A San Diego Firefighter added most of the drivers had been drinking.
"I've seen a lot of drunk crashes where people get on for a joke, oh let's get on a scooter, and they're wasted and they double up and they go around a turn and you hear a big noise," Christiansen said
10News has reported on several scooter crashes, one that was fatal.
"You've always gotta have your head on a swivel and that's the thing when I'm skating, I'm always like this because I'm worried about my shoulder getting knocked out because people are whipping by," Christiansen said.
"They go super fast, they're like cars!" Pittman said emphatically.
According to the law, a DUI on a scooter is the same as behind the wheel of a car.
First responders hope everyone is responsible while having fun this weekend.
