Ahead of Black Friday, the Road Safety Authority (RSA) has called on parents to avoid gifting e-scooters, scramblers and quad bikes to their children as Christmas presents this year.

On Newstalk Breakfast, RSA spokesperson Sarah O’Connor reminded listeners that laws around e-scooters have changed since last Christmas.

“The laws changed earlier this year and e-scooters are now illegal for children under the age of 16 to own and to use,” she said.

“I suppose it's just really important that we talk a little bit about that and for people to understand, you know, the safety implications and the reasons for that.”

Trend

Ms O’Connor said gifting these all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) has become a trend.

“It has [become a trend] if you think about it - from the beginning of 2020 until the end of 2023, so up until last December,” she said.

Ms O’Connor said the RSA have seen a huge amount of serious injuries as a result of these ATVs.

“We would have seen three fatalities on public roads as a result of quad bikes or scramblers, and 49 serious injuries,” she said.

“Then for the equivalent in terms of e-scooters, for that four year period, you will have seen 4 e-scooter deaths and 117 serious injuries.

“Also, tragically, one person died as a result of their encounter with an e-scooter, and another 20 people were seriously injured when they collided with an e-scooter.”

"Stark implications"

Ms O’Connor said the “implications” of these kind of vehicles “are quite stark”.

“They are not a toy, they're not appropriate for children, and they're not safe for children,” she said.

“None of us would like any kid that we know to be involved in a collision, where they will be hurt or where somebody else will be hurt.”

Ms O’Connor said it is “really important” to take note of these warnings “in advance of Christmas”.

E-scooters in Dublin city centre, 17-5-24. Image: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie