Social Democrats’ Councillor Cian O’Callaghan has said the dangerous use of quads and scramblers by teenagers and children has been allowed to reach epidemic levels.
Speaking after a man was seriously injured when he was struck by a scrambler bike in Darndale Park at the weekend, the Dublin Bay North councillor said:
“The misuse of quad bikes and scramblers has been allowed to reached epidemic proportions in many communities including in parts of my own constituency. Teenagers are driving these vehicles without any tax, insurance or drivers’ licences. It’s also not unusual to see children as young as seven or eight racing around housing estates and in public open spaces and parks, posing a huge danger to themselves as well as pedestrians and road users.
“This is a hugely important matter of public safety and yet the problem has been allowed to fester and is now clearly completely out of control. What is needed is a major initiative to discourage parents from buying these vehicles as presents for their children for birthdays or special occasions. We also need to see legislation to allow gardaí to seize vehicles where they are being driven by children, and also to introduce fines for parents who allow their children to misuse quads and scramblers.
“This social problem has been passed around various agencies and authorities and communities are increasingly frustrated that they are not seeing the urgent response needed on the ground. It is inevitable that unless the various agencies get to grips with this there will be further serious injuries and death caused by this anti-social activity.”
ENDS
11 June 2018