Ending e-scooter 'scourge' requires more than new rules - Laois rep
E-scooter changes will make little difference without enforcement and community policing investment, insists Laois representative
Further Government restrictions on e-scooters will make no difference unless there is a step change in community policing, roads policing and enforcement by the gardaí insists a Laois-based Sinn Féin senator.
Maria McCormack has also demanded that the Government and the Minister for Justice must ensure that gardaí have the resources to tackle what she claims is “a scourge” in many communities and a danger to public safety.
“It has been clear for some time that the approach to e-scooters and scramblers has been wholly insufficient. There have been policing failures, regulatory failures and failures to enforce existing laws on the sale and supply of these vehicles.
“Parents worry about allowing their children to play outside. Older people are afraid to walk their local streets. Residents are being terrorised by those who believe they can act with impunity.
“Children have suffered devastating injuries. Hospital consultants have warned that e-scooters have contributed to a 50% increase in brain injuries among Irish children,” she said.
Sen McCormack claimed working-class communities have borne the brunt of she claimed were “policing failures” in this regard.
“While there are specific failures to enforce existing laws, this is also part of a wider problem around community policing and roads policing which have both been under-resourced and understaffed for years,” she said.
The 2024 Laois constituency General Election candidate said questions will be asked about the point of banning under-18s from e-scooters if the existing ban on under-16s is not being enforced sufficiently. She called for investment.
“None of the changes announced will make any difference unless there is a robust and resourced policing approach to this issue. We know that An Garda Síochána are under pressure and that, as we had long warned, the policing of the Irish presidency of the EU Council would increase the strains on already stretched resources if significant additional provision was not made. MORE BELOW PHOTO.
“Legislation to treat e-scooters as mechanically propelled vehicles and a requirement for licensing and registration is to be welcomed, but if we expect these new regulations to be enforced there will need to be investment in personnel, resources and training for the roads policing section of An Garda Síochána.
“The proposals to prohibit the sale of scooters to minors and to prohibit the sale of scooters that do not meet the legal requirements for use on public roads will need to be enforced,” she said.
The Portlaoise -based politician also said the public needs to know what additional resources the Government will provide to inspect retailers and enforce control laws and age-of-sale restrictions.
Apart from banning under 18s from using e-scooters, hi-vis jackets and helmets will also be mandatory for all e-scooter use from August. Legislation will be introduced to treat e-scooters as mechanically propelled vehicles in late 2026 when there will be a requirement for licensing and registration.
The sale of scooters to minors and the sale of scooters that do not meet the legal requirements for use on public roads will also be prohbited.
An outright ban has not been ruled out by the Government.
At present legal e-scooters in Ireland are limited to:
- Max speed: 20km/h
- Max motor power: 400 watts
- One rider only
- No footpath use
Owners are urged by gardaí to check the specifications of e-scooters before purchase.