Death of 15-year-old boy in electric scooter accident brings safety rules back to the agenda in Portugal

The death of a 15-year-old boy using an electric scooter in Lousada, Portugal, has brought the safety debate regarding the use of these vehicles, especially by children and young people, to the agenda again.

The accident occurred on September 23 on Rua Guerra Junqueira in the Boim district.

The 15-year-old boy lost control while riding an electric scooter, fell and hit his head on the pavement.

The child, who was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, could not be saved.

How did the accident occur?

In the incident investigated by GNR, the child was traveling on an electric scooter and lost control of the vehicle, the exact reason for which has not yet been determined.

Bombeiros Voluntários de Lousada teams were dispatched to the scene.

While the child was being taken to Hospital Padre Américo after first aid, he suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest and died despite the interventions made at the hospital.

GNR is investigating the exact circumstances of the accident.

Therefore, it is not correct to draw unverified conclusions, such as the speed of the scooter or that the accident was caused by a specific technical malfunction.

Helmet issue is being discussed again

The fatal accident has revived a long-standing debate in Portugal about the safety of electric scooter users.

Especially for young users, helmets, speed and areas where vehicles can be used are the prominent topics.

However, a new national law cannot accept an existing tragedy. It should not be presented as if it were done.

As of today, there is no new scooter law that has come into force across Portugal after the incident.

Municipality calls for regulation

The Mayor of Lousada argued that national rules regarding the use of electric scooters should be re-evaluated following the accident.

This call focuses on establishing clearer safety rules, especially for children and young users.

However, the mayor's statement is not a change in national legislation, but a political/regulatory call to the government and legislators.

A different topic than the discussion in Lisbon

Electric scooters have also been on the agenda in Lisboa lately.

However, it is necessary to distinguish two debates.

The referendum initiative initiated by the ACP in Lisbon is mainly on the use of shared scooter systems in the city.

The discussion in Lousada is especially about user safety and national usage rules after a fatal accident.

So these are not two stages of the same regulatory process.

There are no rules changing for now.

Those who use scooters in Portugal must comply with the current Código da Estrada rules.

Although calls for new regulations were made following the death of Lousada, there is no new national rule accepted by the Parliament or the government yet.

Therefore, the next important development is that the government or It will be whether the Parliament will prepare legislative changes on age, helmets, speed and usage areas.

Resources

ACP — “Jovem de 15 anos morre em acidente com trotinete em Lousada”, 24 September 2026

https://www.acp.pt/o-clube/revista-acp/atualidade/detalhe/Jovem-de-15-anos-morre-em-acidente-com-trotinete-em-Lousada

Observador / Lusa — 23 September 2026

https://observador.pt/2026/09/23/jovem-de-15-anos-morre-apos-despiste-de-trotineta-em-lousada/

Portugal Resident — “Lousada calls for urgent e-scooter rules after teenager’s death”, 25 September 2026

https://www.portugalresident.com/lousada-calls-for-urgent-e-scooter-rules-after-teenagers-death/