Wearing sunglasses may save people about $100 the next time they are on a scooter.
If motorcycles or scooters are capable of traveling more than 30 mph, the driver must wear goggles, face shields or glasses to protect their eyes. Contact lenses do not qualify, according to University Police.
UPD Lt. Greg Streukens said five citations were given out last semester. This semester, five citations have been given, not including warnings. The tickets cost $104.
“Every year, there seems like there is more and more scooters on campus, which might be why more people have been stopped,” Streukens said.
He said he believes riders don’t understand that once the scooter goes faster than 30 mph, or has an engine of more than 50 cubic centimeters, it is considered a motorcycle and must abide by the same rules, which include a motorcycle endorsement and eye protection.
“The problem is ... that they are making these scooters that are 50 cc or less, but they can go greater than 30 mph,” Streukens said. “Not only that, but if you buy the same scooter as the guy next to you, and he’s not wearing sunglasses, then you assume you don’t have to.”
Julia DiCesare said she was riding her scooter in the parking garage next to Norman Hall when she was pulled over by a UPD officer for not wearing protective eyewear.
“I was unaware of the law,” the 19-year-old UF psychology and marketing sophomore said. “Many others were ticketed or warned within the same time span, but the cop was really nice and just informed me [of the law] instead of giving me a ticket.”
