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27th November 2024
11:56am GMT
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has issued a warning today to strongly advise parents against buying their young kids e-scooters, scramblers, or quad bikes this Christmas.
They also remind parents that new laws were introduced in May of this year, which state that a pwerson must be at least 16 years old to legally use an e-scooter in Ireland.
They’re also banned from footpaths and users are not allowed to carry passengers.
In a statement, a spokesperson reiterated: “The RSA also wants to remind parents that quad bikes and scramblers pose significant safety risks to children.
“They urge parents to avoid gifting these vehicles to ensure the safety and well-being of young people during the holiday season.”
Listing some of the alarming stats associated with these vehicles, they confirmed that four e-scooter riders were killed and 117 seriously injured on Irish roads between January 1st 2020 and December 31st 2023.
During the same period, one other road user was killed and 20 more seriously injured in collisions involving e-scooters.
Casualty figures show that between January 2020 1st and December 31st 2023, 49 people were seriously injured in collisions involving a quadbike or scrambler on a public road.
In the same period, there were three fatalities involving quad bikes or scramblers on public roads.
Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA, explained: “The greatest gift parents can give this year is ensuring the safety of their children.
“Parents should not consider purchasing a quad or an e-scooter for any child this Christmas.
“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.”
