RSA urging parents not to buy e-scooters under 18s

A new campaign spearheaded by the Road Safety Authority is urging parents not to buy e-scooters for anyone under the age of 18, highlighting the dangers.

The campaign is in partnership with Children’s Health Ireland (CHI), and at the forefront of the campaign is a new radio advertisement voiced by Dr Irwin Gill, Consultant Paediatrician at CHI.

Dr Gill is drawing on his frontline experience of treating patients under the age of 18 with serious head injuries following e-scooter falls and collisions.

The campaign will coincide with the new regulations by the Government to help strengthen e-scooter safety; these include the legal age being moved to 18, and helmets being made mandatory.

Last year, the RSA’s E-Scooter Usage & Attitudes National Survey identified a significant increase in falls and collisions involving e-scooter users.

Dr Irwin Gill said: “In my line of work, I look after children who’ve suffered traumatic brain injuries. In the last year, I’ve seen more than 20 children who sustained a serious brain injury after an incident while riding an e-scooter.

“The average hospital stay for these children was 19 days. These are serious injuries, some with lifelong consequences. As someone who sees injured children all too regularly, I implore you: if you’re thinking of buying an e-scooter for someone under 18, don’t. The damage they can do is not worth the risk.”

Nuala Carey, Director of Partnerships and External Affairs at the RSA, said: “The evidence from frontline clinicians is stark: e-scooter collisions can leave children with serious injuries and lifelong consequences.

“The law is clear that no one under 18 should use an e-scooter, and our message to parents and guardians is equally clear: do not buy one for a child. No gift is worth putting their safety at risk.”