Manilva Local Police have identified and taken a statement from the driver of an electric scooter involved in the collision with a five-year-old boy that took place yesterday, Tuesday, on calle Utopía in Manilva, after which the driver quickly left the scene.
The incident took place at around 16:00, when the child was literally run over by the scooter, which was travelling in the opposite direction. Its driver, apparently a teenager, initially fled the scene.
According to the initial account of a relative of the child, the five-year-old had to be taken to a hospital because of the injuries he suffered. The relative described the impact as brutal and said it had «sent him flying».
According to people who were at the scene, the young person riding the scooter, described as a boy aged between 13 and 14, was travelling at high speed and in the opposite direction along the road at the time of the accident. It was also said that he had previously been warned by the police for reckless driving in the area.
Local Police locate the driver
Following the incident, the Local Police immediately began searching for the person responsible. Manilva Town Hall, in an official statement issued today, has confirmed that the driver has been located.
«The Local Police have identified and taken a statement from the driver of the electric scooter involved in the collision with a child on calle Utopía in the town centre of Manilva. From this point, the relevant enquiries will continue in order to clarify the facts, following the corresponding procedure,» the municipal statement says.
The authorities are continuing their enquiries to determine the exact circumstances of the accident and to establish any legal responsibilities arising from the incident.
Changes to the regulations
From 2 January 2026, the new regulations for electric scooters will require compulsory third-party liability insurance in order to ride legally in Spain. The measure is intended to cover material damage or personal injury caused to third parties and will apply to all personal mobility vehicles (VMP). Failure to comply may result in fines of up to 1,000 euros and the vehicle being impounded.
Key points of the new regulations:
- Compulsory third-party liability insurance: This is the main new requirement for 2026.
- Coverage: It will cover damage you may cause to other people or their property.
Entry into force: From 2 January 2026. - Penalties: Riding without insurance can lead to fines of up to 1,000 euros.
- VMP register: Although insurance is the main focus for 2026, the regulations also make it compulsory to register scooters with the DGT (Spain’s traffic authority) from 2027.
- Homologation certificate: VMPs sold from 2024 onwards must have a homologation certificate. Those sold before January 2024 have until 2027 to be ridden without one.
- Where they can be ridden: The regulations maintain the ban on riding on pavements, motorways and dual carriageways, while allowing use of cycle lanes and roads with a limit of up to 30 km/h.
