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The Road Safety Authority has urged parents not to buy electric scooters for children this Christmas.
It comes after figures released to Sinn Féin’s TD Darren O’Rourke show there have been 37 collisions with electric scooters so far this year.
That’s up from the 22 figure for all of 2019.
Electric scooters have become increasingly popular with travelers in recent years, but the law prohibits their use on public roads.
Despite this, many retailers are expecting a busier Christmas than usual, with travelers looking for alternatives due to restricted seating on public transportation.
Paddy O’Brien, co-founder and director of LOCO Scooters, based at Ballymount in Dublin, said he hopes to “sell” his shares this year.
“During the last few days, especially with the level five restrictions, we have noticed an increase in the number of phone calls … understandably, that is going to increase with the arrival of the Christmas period,” he told RTÉ’s This Week program.
“We expect to be sold between now and the first week of January and that would be maybe 350-400 scooters in total. We see a huge increase in demand from parents and travelers alike,” he added.
Data provided by gardaí show that 91 electric scooters have been seized or detained between January 1 and October of this year.
That compares to 56 for the entire year 2019.
Scooter users have called for legislation to regulate the use of the devices on public roads.
Marty Meany, an electric scooter owner, who stopped using his scooter after being warned by gardaí last year, said: “Electric scooters are already on the roads by the thousands, the correct term to use is’ the horse has been triggered ‘because they are already out there.
“We just need a framework so that they are used responsibly.”
Opposition parties also say it is time for the law to catch up with public demand.
O’Rourke said: “E-scooters are part of the mobility and transportation landscape at this stage, and what is needed is regulation and legislation to provide them.”
The Department of Transportation said that while “it is currently illegal to use an eScooter on a public road, the Government Program is committed to legislate for its use.”
The Government values the importance of regulating this new sector as a matter of urgency and work is being done in this regard.
“However, the Government is also aware of addressing the necessary measures to manage the Covid-19 crisis and mitigate its social and economic consequences, as well as those of Brexit,” said a spokeswoman for the Minister of Transport, Eamon Ryan.
The Highway Safety Authority has urged parents to think again before purchasing electric scooters for their children this Christmas.
RSA spokesman Brian Farrell said: “Some parents may be considering eScooters as a Christmas present this year, and our advice would be that eScooters can travel at considerable speed and in the hands of children could be high risk. .
“There are many other safer gifts for a child this Christmas that would bring them many years of enjoyment and happiness.
“As they say, if it’s the idea that counts, think again if you’re considering buying an eScooter.”
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