Individuals are being advised against purchasing e-scooters, scramblers, or quad bikes for children this holiday season, reports RTE.
As part of new legislation enacted in May, individuals must be at least 16 years old to operate an e-scooter legally.
Additionally, e-scooter users are prohibited from riding on footpaths and are not permitted to carry additional passengers.
In a statement, the Road Safety Authority emphasized the serious safety risks that quad bikes and scramblers present to children, reports RTE.
Between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2023, four e-scooter riders lost their lives, and 117 sustained severe injuries on Irish roads.
During that same timeframe, one additional road user died, and 20 were critically injured in incidents involving e-scooters, reports RTE.
Statistics indicate that from January 1, 2020, to December 31, 2023, 49 individuals suffered serious injuries in accidents involving a quad bike or scrambler on a public road.
Additionally, there were three reported fatalities involving quad bikes or scramblers on public roadways during this period, reports RTE.
RSA Chief Executive Sam Waide stated: “The most valuable gift parents can give this year is ensuring their children’s safety.
“Parents ought to avoid buying a quad or an e-scooter for any child this holiday season.
“It is essential for parents and the general public to understand that quad bikes and e-scooters are meant to be operated by individuals who are old enough to fully grasp the hazards they present when misused or used on rough terrain,” reports RTE.
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