Laois motorists 'in fear' following close calls with e-scooters and pedestrians

Laois County Council has agreed to launch a public awareness campaign to encourage e-scooter users, pedestrians and cyclists to wear high-visibility clothing following an appeal by a local councillor.

Cllr Tommy Mulligan requested Laois County Council launch the countywide campaign aimed at improving road safety after he received numerous calls in recent months regarding accidents and close calls involving e-scooters, pedestrians and cyclists.

Speaking at the January meeting of Laois County Council, Cllr Mulligan said that there have been many near misses in Portlaoise recently but that it is a problem throughout Laois.

"I'm sure you all have stories and have heard complaints about it," he said to his fellow council members. 

Cllr Mulligan told the council that pedestrians, e-scooter users and cyclists commonly wear dark clothing "which is a huge danger for motorists."

He argued: "I think motorists are just very fearful now to drive around because of these close calls."

The motion was widely supported by other local councillors, with Cllr James Kelly noting the "explosion" in the sale of e-scooters. 

The issue, however, is not unique to Laois. Tipperary County Council have agreed to write to the Minister of Transport to request the introduction of legislation to require e-scooter and e-bike users to wear high-visibility clothing and have proper lighting.

Councillor JP O’Meara proposed the motion to Tipperary County Council with the support of other councillors due to similar safety concerns in the county regarding e-scooters and e-bikes.

In May 2024, new laws were introduced which meant that e-scooter and e-bike users must be 16 or older and obey a speed limit of 20km/h. E-scooters are banned from footpaths and users can't carry passengers.

Although, as Laois councillors pointed out, e-scooters are often seen driving on footpaths as well as roads.

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Cllr Aidan Mullins insisted that Gardaí should be enforcing these laws on e-scooters to guarantee safety.

The Roads Department of Laois County Council has agreed to run the safety campaign on the importance of visibility on roads as proposed by Cllr Mulligan.

In response to the news, Cllr Mulligan said: "The campaign will have huge benefits for the public. Hopefully it will promote a culture of road safety and wearing hi-vis and then as a result reduce accidents."

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme