An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are warning parents not to buy children quads or scramblers as presents this Christmas.
Three of the six people who died following an accident involving a quad bike or scrambler between 2014 and 2019 were aged 18 or under, RSA statistics show.
In all, 60 people were injured in collisions involving a quad bike or scrambler on a public road in that five-year period. More than 40% of those injured were 18 or under.
“These are powerful machines, which have the potential to severely or even fatally injure someone. That is why they are not suitable to be used by children or inexperienced riders,” warned Assistant Commissioner Paula Hillman from the National Roads Policing and Community Engagement Bureau.
“Members of An Garda Síochána do not want to be delivering devastating news to another family this Christmas so our message is clear - children and young teenagers should not be driving these vehicles in public, or without the necessary licence, insurance, safety equipment and supervision.”
Road legal
Quad bikes or scramblers used on public roads are subject to the same rules as other mechanically propelled vehicles.
They are required to be registered, taxed and in good roadworthy condition.
The driver of the vehicle must hold the appropriate driving licence and be insured to drive the vehicle.
It is an offence for these vehicles to be used in public places such as parks and public areas.
Off road
RSA chair Liz O’Donnell said the machines are not toys.
“They are intended to be driven by people in a supervised and controlled environment. Many people enjoy off-road biking as a fun activity, on designated tracks and trails, ensuring they are riding in a safe and appropriate environment.
“However, in the hands of inexperienced and often unsupervised children in public places, they are a serious danger. If you’re planning to gift a quad bike or scrambler this Christmas, please reconsider. If it’s the thought that counts, please think again.”
Injuries
Keith Synnott, consultant orthopaedic and spine surgeon at the Mater Hospital warned that quads and scrambler drivers riders risk spinal injury following a collision on a quad bike or scrambler.
“This could result in paralysis, which can mean being unable to walk or perhaps use your hands to feed yourself and loss of bowel or bladder control. Sometimes, even the inability to breathe without the aid of a machine,” he said.
“Impacts often happen on areas of uneven ground or as a result of unstable vehicles, especially in the hands of children, leading to people falling and landing awkwardly or the vehicle landing on the rider. The dangers these machines pose means that they are not suitable gifts for children.”
Read more
Clare and Monaghan farmers appeal for information on stolen quads
Watch: Sligo company aims to solve quad theft problem with new innovation
‘He went out for the cows and he never came back’
An Garda Síochána and the Road Safety Authority (RSA) are warning parents not to buy children quads or scramblers as presents this Christmas.
Three of the six people who died following an accident involving a quad bike or scrambler between 2014 and 2019 were aged 18 or under, RSA statistics show.
In all, 60 people were injured in collisions involving a quad bike or scrambler on a public road in that five-year period. More than 40% of those injured were 18 or under.
“These are powerful machines, which have the potential to severely or even fatally injure someone. That is why they are not suitable to be used by children or inexperienced riders,” warned Assistant Commissioner Paula Hillman from the National Roads Policing and Community Engagement Bureau.
“Members of An Garda Síochána do not want to be delivering devastating news to another family this Christmas so our message is clear - children and young teenagers should not be driving these vehicles in public, or without the necessary licence, insurance, safety equipment and supervision.”
Road legal
Quad bikes or scramblers used on public roads are subject to the same rules as other mechanically propelled vehicles.
They are required to be registered, taxed and in good roadworthy condition.
The driver of the vehicle must hold the appropriate driving licence and be insured to drive the vehicle.
It is an offence for these vehicles to be used in public places such as parks and public areas.
Off road
RSA chair Liz O’Donnell said the machines are not toys.
“They are intended to be driven by people in a supervised and controlled environment. Many people enjoy off-road biking as a fun activity, on designated tracks and trails, ensuring they are riding in a safe and appropriate environment.
“However, in the hands of inexperienced and often unsupervised children in public places, they are a serious danger. If you’re planning to gift a quad bike or scrambler this Christmas, please reconsider. If it’s the thought that counts, please think again.”
Injuries
Keith Synnott, consultant orthopaedic and spine surgeon at the Mater Hospital warned that quads and scrambler drivers riders risk spinal injury following a collision on a quad bike or scrambler.
“This could result in paralysis, which can mean being unable to walk or perhaps use your hands to feed yourself and loss of bowel or bladder control. Sometimes, even the inability to breathe without the aid of a machine,” he said.
“Impacts often happen on areas of uneven ground or as a result of unstable vehicles, especially in the hands of children, leading to people falling and landing awkwardly or the vehicle landing on the rider. The dangers these machines pose means that they are not suitable gifts for children.”
Read more
Clare and Monaghan farmers appeal for information on stolen quads
Watch: Sligo company aims to solve quad theft problem with new innovation
‘He went out for the cows and he never came back’
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