Indiana law drives down moped thefts, sales in Evansville

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - An Indiana law that put more stringent requirements on mopeds and scooters has driven down thefts of the two-wheeled motorized vehicles in Evansville while sales have tanked in at least one scooter store in the past year.

Scooter theft reports in Evansville have fallen from 269 in 2014 to just 79 as of Dec. 17, said Evansville Police Department spokesman Sgt. Jason Cullum. Police predicted that decrease, he said, because stolen scooters would become easier to track under the new law since it requires them to be registered and licensed.

"The first year data have shown that to be true," Cullum told the Evansville Courier & Press (http://bit.ly/1NLLPan ).

He said people are apparently following the law's new registration requirement because Evansville officers rarely see a scooter now without registration.

A segment of scooter riders have a suspended driver's license due to a DUI or other driving charge.

The law that took effect in January 2015 requires anyone operating a moped to be at least 15 years old and for the vehicle to be registered with the state's Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Drivers must also receive an endorsement - but not a full license - by taking a 25-question test focusing mostly on signs and signals.

Scooter Shop owner John Hembd said his Evansville store is selling few scooters these days. He blames that downturn to the law making it easier to enforce the age restriction on who can register and operate a scooter. Hembd said that's led to fewer scooters on the streets and less demand for his product.

"The new law has just about shut us down," Hembd said. "I used to sell 20 to 30 scooters a month and now I'm lucky if I sell one or two."

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Information from: Evansville Courier & Press, http://www.courierpress.com