American University’s Executive Director Bans Hoverboards on Campus Due to Safety Concerns

By Staff Writer | Jan 05, 2016 07:11 AM EST

Despite being the latest trend of mobility, hoverboards are causing much more scrutiny from different sectors of the society. Recently, the American University joins the call to ban the hoverboards from being used or seen in its campuses.

What led to the banning is related more on safety. Dan Nichols, AU's Executive Director of risk, safety and transportation programs, explained that the devices are temporarily banned from campus or AU-owned buildings.

The Washington Post indicated that while the Consumer Product Safety Commission is presently evaluating the complaints of injuries and spontaneous combustion of the hoverboards, its usage is temporarily banned from the university.

According to the letter issued by Nichols to all university students, "Due to safety concerns associated with the hoverboards as well as the potential impact to the safety of our community, American University has decided to institute a temporary ban on these devices and it is effective January 4, 2016, and until further notice, hoverboards, also known as self-balancing scooters and hands-free segways will not be permitted for use."

It points out that hoverboards do not meet the safety criteria for usage. DC Inno further mentioned how hoverboards are regarded as dangerous enough since some hoverboards have been noted to blow up or catch on fire and thus injuring people that are within its close proximity.

It is not just in the campuses of American University that hoverboards are banned. Even in George Washington University as well as Loyola University Maryland have joined hands in banning hoverboards, as well as being banned for us in residence halls at George Mason University, as cited by NBC Washington.

Although the hoverboards are considered as one of the holiday seasons most sought out gifts, it is also pending a federal government review in terms of safety. As the trendiest tech gear faces banning from American University, there is nothing that that the university students can do except adheres to the policies and regulations set forth by the university.

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