RSA issues Late Late Toy Show warning to parents about presents this Christmas

The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has issued a warning to parents and adults about the safety risks surrounding popular Christmas presents for kids.

The RSA is urging people not to purchase e-scooters, scramblers or quad bikes as gifts for any children this Christmas. 

The warning was highlighted ahead of last night's Late Late Toy Show on RTÉ with thousands of children across Ireland tuning in to one of the staples of the Irish Christmas calendar.

Three e-scooter riders were killed and 48 seriously injured on Irish roads between January 1 2022 and September 24 2023. During the same period, one other road user was killed and 11 more seriously injured in collisions involving e-scooters.

“Parents should not consider purchasing an e-scooter for any child this Christmas," said Sam Waide, Chief Executive of the RSA.

"It is important that parents and members of the public are also aware of the risks associated with quadbikes and scrambled.

"They are intended to be driven by people in a supervised and controlled environment who understand the threat when driven on uneven ground,” Mr Waide explained.

Casualty figures show that between 2017 and 2021, 88 people were injured in collisions involving a quadbike or scrambler on a public road. In the same period, there were four fatalities involving quad bikes or scramblers on public roads.

Following the passing of legislation earlier this year permitting their use, people will be allowed to drive e-scooters on Irish roads next year. However, under the regulations, children will not be allowed to use them.

Under the legislation, which will come into force in 2024, you must be 16 years or older to use an e-scooter in Ireland.