Meeting tackles quad bike dangers

A SPECIAL cross-agency meeting last week was called to address what has been described as the serious problems posed by the improper ownership and use of scrambler and quad bikes in Dublin communities.

In January of this year, Southsiders were warned of the dangers posed by riding scramblers and quads in the wake of a number of serious accidents.

South Dublin County Council issued the warning to people about not wearing the proper head gear and protective equipment.

The warning followed reports of two incidents, one of which was a head-on collision with a jeep in which the driver of the quad was lucky to escape life-changing injuries. 

Speaking ahead of the meeting last week, Deputy John Curran (FF)said he had first brought the issue to light in late 2016 following a number of concerns from local residents.

“I have been consistently raising the need to progress with this important meeting in Dáil Éireann and I was relieved that at last, Minister  for Justice, Charlie Flanagan confirmed to me that it would go ahead.

“In my own part of Dublin a large number of residents have expressed serious concern for their safety due to the abundance of scramblers on our streets and in our housing estates. 

“Despite the existing bye-laws that prohibit the illegal use of mechanically propelled vehicles, the gardaí have difficulties enforcing these laws.

“The damage caused to both public parks and green areas in private housing estates has continued to worsen,” Deputy Curran added.

“Parents of young children walking to and from school have highlighted how some scrambler and quad bike users attempt to frighten and intimidate them by driving dangerously close to footpaths.

“As the number of incidents linked to the improper use of scramblers and quad bikes continue to rise and anti-social behaviour heightens.

“A co-ordinated approach to clamp down on their use is required.” adopted by gardaí, local authorities and the wider community.

“I very much anticipate that both Ministers will use this meeting as an opportunity to get started on establishing a broader, long term plan on how best to respond to this public safety issue.”