Doctors urge scrambler ban and tougher e-scooter laws amid deaths and serious injuries
Four people have died and 59 others have been seriously injured in road collisions involving scrambler bikes since January 2021
Leading emergency doctors are set to call for an outright ban on the importation and sale of non-road-legal scramblers and other vehicles amid growing concern over serious injuries and deaths.
Four people have died and 59 others have been seriously injured in road collisions involving scrambler bikes since January 2021, according to figures being presented to the Oireachtas Justice Committee this afternoon.
Two of those killed and 15 of those seriously injured were not riding the scrambler involved, with pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and passengers among the casualties.
Of the 46 scrambler users who were killed or seriously injured, all were male and three-quarters were aged 25 or younger. Three-quarters of fatal and serious scrambler collisions also occurred in Dublin.
Dr Luke Philips, a consultant in emergency medicine and trauma at the Mater Hospital in Dublin, is expected to tell the committee that doctors are treating riders who have suffered fractured limbs, spinal and internal organ injuries as well as severe traumatic brain injuries requiring neurosurgical care.
Doctors are calling for the Government to go further than existing legislation by banning the importation and sale of non-road-legal vehicles, introducing mandatory vehicle registration and strengthening enforcement of existing road traffic rules, age restrictions and requirements around protective equipment.
The committee will also hear concerns about the growing number of injuries involving e-scooters.
Dr Philips is expected to tell members that presentations involving e-scooters have been steadily rising at the Mater over the past two years, with significant limb injuries among the most commonly encountered.
Many of those patients require surgery, placing additional pressure on emergency departments and inpatient services.
The hearing comes following the introduction of Grace's Law, which prohibits the use of scramblers and quad bikes in public places.
The legislation was named after 16-year-old Grace Lynch, who died after being struck by a scrambler near her home in Finglas, Dublin, in January.
Her parents, Siobhán and Martin Lynch, are also due to address the committee and have called for stronger measures to tackle the illegal use of scramblers, e-scooters and e-bikes.
They are seeking a dedicated off-road Garda unit, improved training and equipment for officers and greater legal protection for Gardaí pursuing riders who refuse to stop.
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly is also expected to tell the committee that the illegal use of scramblers represents a significant public, community and road safety issue, while warning that enforcement alone will not solve the problem.
The latest calls come as Ireland also tightens its rules around e-scooters. Since September 4, e-scooter riders have been required to wear helmets and high-visibility clothing, while the Government is also moving to increase the minimum age for their use from 16 to 18.