RSA urges parents not to gift e-scooters to kids this Christmas as accidents on the rise

As Black Friday and the Late Late Toy Show approach, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) is strongly advising against purchasing e-scooters, scramblers, or quad bikes for children this Christmas.  

As part of new laws introduced in May of this year, individuals 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.  

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. 

Four e-scooter riders were killed and 117 seriously injured on Irish roads between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2023. During the same period, 1 other road user was killed and 20 more seriously injured in collisions involving e-scooters. 

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Casualty figures show that between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 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.”