Why does South Carolina allow mopeds and scooters on our roads? They travel well under the posted speed limit and pose a serious hazard.

I almost ran over one recently on U.S. 25 south of Trenton in a 55-mph zone. It had no tail lights and was going about 25 mph. The driver wore no protective gear and was weaving in the lane. Our encounter would not have been pretty.

The law says people can drive these as a alternative mode of transportation if their driver’s license is suspended for six months or less. That is to say: People who have their license suspended for driving drunk are allowed to drive on our roads using mopeds and scooters. If you lose your S.C. driving privileges, you should be off the road. Period.

Youths too young to have a driver’s license also are able to drive mopeds and scooters. What kind of official training have they had? Did they have to take driver’s education or pass the Department of Motor Vehicles’ written and road tests? Obviously these things aren’t well regulated, which means they most likely aren’t insured, tagged, registered or assessed a property tax. They are a distraction to the drivers of licensed vehicles, which are insured and taxed annually.

If mopeds and scooters are allowed to share our roads, law enforcement officers need to have clear, enforceable laws with punitive consequences for violations. Letting this go on is making our roads more hazardous and putting the lives of our citizens at unnecessary risk.

Karen Jensen

Johnston