Tougher restrictions on e-scooters to go to Cabinet
By Gráinne Ní Aodha, Press Association
A tougher set of regulations on the use of e-scooters in Ireland is to go to Cabinet on Wednesday.
The Government is to extend a ban on the use of e-scooters from under-16s to under-18s, and make hi-vis jackets and helmets mandatory for anyone using them.
There will also be an increased fixed charge notice for all e-scooter offences to €100 and the fee for the release of detained e-scooters will be doubled from €125 to €250 for the first day’s storage.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien will bring the proposals to Cabinet on Wednesday, with the rules to take effect in August once approved.
The Government announced it would be increasing restrictions on e-scooters due to serious injuries caused to children in particular.
While focus has been placed on the lack of powers gardaí have to pursue suspected illegal e-scooter use, such as minors using them or speeding above the limit, the Government has also suggested it could shift the obligation to retailers that sell e-scooters in legislation that will be brought forward in September.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said last week that it was his firm view that insurance, registration and tax should be required by those using e-scooters, and suggested that there will be penalties for illegal e-scooter use that can be applied to parents.
Existing e-scooters would also need to be registered, he said.
Safety issues with e-scooter and scrambler use has come into focus this year after the death of 16-year-old Grace Lynch in Finglas in a crash involving a scrambler while she was walking home, and multiple fatal and serious crashes involving e-scooters.
Other road reforms being considered by Cabinet include strengthening the Road Safety Authority and expanding its existing educational programmes.
There will also be a better sharing of traffic collision data with local authorities and improvements for drivers including the “abolition of the requirement to display a paper motor tax disc”.
