MTA Bans Hoverboards on NYC Subways, Buses and Trains

As more and more time passes in the age of technology, we find that many new inventions are hitting the shelves for us to utilize in our day-to-day lives. However, with these new inventions come all new risks when technology backfires and malfunctions. Such is the case for an invention that is all the rage known as a ‘hoverboard’ which doesn’t really hover but glides across the ground on wheels, taking its owner wherever they need to go. You may have heard about these popular rides or even saw them in the news for the great accomplishments they have been making – as well as the injuries they have been causing.

You see, each year many products are recalled when they fall responsible for the injuries and deaths of consumers. Under product liability laws, if a manufactured product causes injury or wrongful death to a consumer, they may have a case and can sue for said injuries. Recently, it has been discovered that hoverboards may not be as safe as they seem – you see, they have made news headlines across the nation when it was found they catch fire and even explode when being charged and ridden by their owners. In one case, a 12-year-old son in a family received a hoverboard and charged it as necessary, only for the explosion of flames coming from the defective product to shoot everywhere and catch their entire house on fire. It is for this very reason that many people are looking at the safety concerns and possible defects, and what can be done about it.

These hoverboards pose many risks, one of the most dangerous being the fact that serious fire hazards can occur not only to surrounding property but also the people who are riding or nearby when an explosion occurs. Because of this, many public places have taken into consideration instilling rules and regulations regarding hoverboards and what can be done to keep people safe.

Subway, Bus, and Train Ban

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) of New York City recently announced that possession of hoverboards aboard trains or buses of the New York City Subway, Buses, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North Railroad, Staten Island Railway and Access-A-Ride are not prohibited because of dangers. An advertising campaign is now in place that states very boldly: Hoverboards Not Allowed. Personal wheeled vehicles like skateboards, scooters, and skates have been long prohibited in these stations and now hoverboards are part of the growing list because of the risks of explosion and fire.

The U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration helped bring forth this ban when they released the information that, under certain conditions, lithium batteries can pose a heat, fire, and explosion risk. It was also found through studies that 80% of hoverboards did not have proper certification of battery testing! Because of this, the MTA is following procedures that will prevent injuries and other risks involved. The safety of customers and employees comes first to MTA, who believes that hoverboards have obvious safety issues in a small, confined place like a subway or bus where many people of the public are trying to walk and get to where they need to go. Bringing a device like this that poses a fire hazard in such a confined space can certainly pose safety risks in itself. Will this ban continue in other cities as more consider the risks involved? We don’t know, but safety will always be top concern for the people of New York and New Jersey.

If you have been injured in an accident, you can contact us at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi. We have practiced in both New York and New Jersey and protected the rights of many victims involved in personal injury accidents. Call us today for more information if you believe you have a case!