Hoboken Sees 3rd E-Scooter DWI Charge; Lime Decries Drunk Riding

HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken has seen three electronic scooter-related DWI charges since launching its controversial pilot program, police said.

On Tuesday, Hoboken police issued a statement in the wake of the most recent incident, which took place Sunday evening near the intersection of 9th and Washington streets.

According to police, Erin Salvin, 26, of Morganville, crashed an e-scooter into a vehicle exiting a parking spot. She fell into the vehicle, then hit the ground.

A nearby police officer rushed to help Salvin, who was lying motionless on her back. While offering aid, the officer noticed the smell of alcohol on her breath, police said.

As medical personnel arrived on the scene and began tending to Salvin, she allegedly began to scream at them, saying she wanted to leave, police said.

The officer performed a field sobriety test on Salvin and placed her under arrest for suspected driving while intoxicated. She later provided breath samples showing she was double the legal limit, police said.

Authorities charged Salvin with DWI in a school zone and reckless driving. She was also issued multiple motor vehicle summonses.

According to Hoboken Police Chief Ken Ferrante, Sunday’s incident was the third suspected DWI involving an e-scooter in the city since the pilot program launched in May.

“We do this in order to keep drunk drivers off the roads so that they don’t have the ability to hurt anyone, including themselves,” Ferrante said.

He pointed out that a person can be charged with DWI for operating any vehicle or mode of transportation that is not “muscle-powered.”

Ferrante said a person allegedly fell off an e-scooter while intoxicated on Aug. 14 at 6th and Hudson streets, sustaining fractures and other non-life-threatening injuries.

Another incident took place on Oct. 6, when a "visibly unsteady and staggering" man picked up a scooter near Newark Street and Park Avenue.

• See related article: Hoboken Man Took Intoxicated Ride On E-Scooter, Police Say
• See related article: Hoboken Rolls Out E-Scooters (Learn The Rules Of The Road)

LIME: ‘ZERO-TOLERANCE FOR DRUNK RIDING’

On Tuesday, a Lime spokesperson told Patch that the company has a “zero-tolerance policy” when it comes to drinking and riding on e-scooters.

“We are in the process of banning this rider from our platform, and have previously banned those who have engaged in dangerous and unsafe riding behavior,” the spokesperson said, speaking about Sunday’s arrest.

“We continue to work with Hoboken Police Department to ensure safe scooter riding,” the spokesperson added.

Lime is currently the only company permitted to operate e-scooters as part of the city’s six-month pilot program, which expires in November. Last month – citing safety concerns – city officials pulled the plug on its contract with Ojo, which had 50 vehicles in Hoboken.

Hoboken residents and visitors have taken about 500,000 rides on Lime scooters since the pilot program launched, the company announced on Oct. 10.

• See related article: Curtains For Ojo In Hoboken; City Cancels E-Scooter Contract
• See related article: Hoboken Rebooting E-Scooter Deals With Lime, Ojo Amid Complaints

Lime has taken several measures to help prevent intoxicated riding since the program began. According to the company:

• Lime continues to host bi-weekly “First Ride” classes to familiarize new riders with the city’s rules and regulations as well has how to safely ride in a guided and low-pressure environment
• Lime contributes 35 cents per scooter ride to support Hoboken’s Vision Zero program
• Lime has banned more than 100 users from its platform in efforts to address underage riding, tandem riding, sidewalk riding and other road violations
• Lime deploys eight-to-ten-person foot patrol teams to collect mis-parked scooters and keep sidewalks clear of clutter
• To curb riding while intoxicated, Lime only operates in Hoboken from Sunday through Wednesday (5 a.m. to 11 p.m.), Thursday (until 10 p.m.), and Friday and Saturday (until 9 p.m.)
• Lime has an in-app pop-up message (screenshot attached) reminding riders to not drink and ride a scooter

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