E-scooters are lethal, Mr Shapps

Peter Hitchens has regularly expressed views that virtually everybody agrees with concerning e-scooters.

At the moment all e-scooters are illegal, unless part of a Government-backed trial, yet we have to put up with them on our pavements and highways. Most riders are arrogant and rude, if people rightly complain.

During my service in the Metropolitan Police, I had to deal with many serious and fatal accidents.

Those involving motorcycles and scooters were always serious, with riders being killed or having life-changing injuries.

It is obvious that the police were ignored by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps and his advisers when decisions were made about these machines.

I predict a large increase in death and injury-causing accidents involving e-scooters. It is a disgrace that these riders do not appear to need what the rest of motorists need, ie at least third-party insurance, registration plates and L-plates for provisional licence holders.

Mr Shapps is a typical Minister who knows nothing about their Ministry or road safety – smart motorways spring to mind.

Terence Matthews, Upminster