A local police zone in the Antwerp province arrested a 25-year-old man after a dangerous chase on an e-scooter – with speeds of up to 90 km/h – that started on the cycling lane between Temse (East Flanders) and Willebroek (Antwerp).
Riding the scooter at an exceptionally high speed, the man was endangering others. He appeared to be under the influence of drugs, and he also already had a lifelong driving ban.
Concerned cyclists had contacted the police several times in recent days about "a dangerous scooter rider." A police motorcyclist noticed him on Thursday during the morning rush hour and wanted to carry out a check.
However, the driver turned around on the cycling lane and drove off at a very high speed against the direction of traffic. The police started the chase, during which the scooter driver reached speeds of up to 90 km/h and moved from the cycle path to the N16, between the lanes.
"Several motorists were able to barely avoid a collision with the rider," the police said. A short while later, he crossed the central reservation to continue fleeing in the direction of travel. During the chase, the scooter also collided with police officers on motorcycles twice, causing limited damage to their vehicle.
Eventually, the fleeing rider fell when he wanted to reach the cycling lane again and hit the verge. "He tried to leave on foot, but was arrested," the police said.
The man for cannabis use. He also appeared to have a lifelong driving ban for numerous offences in the past, such as driving under the influence of drugs, driving without insurance, and driving during a period in which he had a temporary driving ban. The man will now have to answer to the police judge again. His scooter was confiscated.
