Sinn Féin TD Paul Donnelly has called for cross-party support for the Sinn Féin motion on protecting communities from quads and scramblers used in a dangerous and reckless manner, which will be debated in the Dáil this evening (Tuesday, November 17).

Speaking today, deputy Donnelly said that the dangerous use of quads and scramblers is a “serious issue” and that communities must be protected.

Citing statistics from the Road Safety Authority (RSA), the deputy said:

“Between 2014 and 2019, six people across the state lost their lives in scrambler and quad-related incidents, and 60 people have been injured in quad and scrambler-related incidents during the same period.

“48% of these incidents involved those aged 18 or under and, in the run up to Christmas, we are calling for a public awareness campaign to highlight the dangers of purchasing a quad or scrambler as a present for a child or young person.

The current legislation does not give Gardaí sufficient powers to protect communities or adequately apprehend those using scramblers and quads in a dangerous or reckless manner.

The deputy says that Sinn Féin is publishing this legislation to “give legal certainty and powers to the Gardaí to effectively tackle this issue”.

“But more must be done – Gardaí must be trained to apprehend those on quads and scramblers safely and they must have the resources to do so,” he continued.

“Fianna Fáil joined us in campaigning on this issue in the previous Dáil and I hope they will now support this motion.

“I am calling on all TDs to support the Sinn Féin motion to protect communities from the impact of quads and scramblers being used in a dangerous and reckless manner.”

Parents urged not to gift children quad bikes or scramblers for Christmas

As AgriLand reported last month, parents are urged not to gift children quad bikes or scramblers for Christmas.

Liz O’Donnell, RSA chairperson, said that every Christmas, quad bikes and scramblers are given as presents, sometimes to very young children, so it’s “important people are informed of the risks”.

“These machines are not toys. They are intended to be driven by people in a supervised and controlled environment,” O’Donnell said.

“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.

Keith Synnott, consultant orthopaedic and spine surgeon at the National Spinal Injuries Unit in the Mater Hospital, said riders risk spinal injury following a collision on a quad 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 breath 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.”