RSA advises against gifting e-scooters, scramblers or quad bikes to children
Have Banned Scooters May Image Picture: Footpaths Since File E 2024 From Been
Ahead of Black Friday and the Late Late Toy Show, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has strongly advised against purchasing e-scooters, scramblers, or quad bikes for children this Christmas.
As part of new laws introduced in May this year, individuals must be at least 16 years old to legally use an e-scooter in Ireland.
The vehicles are also banned from footpaths, and users are not allowed to carry passengers.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the RSA also reminded parents that quad bikes and scramblers pose significant safety risks to children.
The authority is urging parents to "avoid gifting these vehicles" to ensure the "safety and well-being of young people" during the holiday season.
Four e-scooter riders were killed and 117 seriously injured on Irish roads between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2023.
During the same period, one other road user was killed and 20 more seriously injured in collisions involving e-scooters.
Casualty figures during the same period also show that 49 people were seriously injured in collisions involving a quad bike or scrambler on a public road.
There were also three fatalities involving quad bikes or scramblers on public roads.
Commenting on these figures, chief executive of the RSA, Sam Waide said: “The greatest gift parents can give this year is ensuring the safety of their children.
"It is crucial for parents and members of the public to be recognise that quads and e-scooters are designed to be operated by those of an age to fully understand the dangers they pose when not being used appropriately and/or on uneven terrain.”