The number of deaths on the nation’s roads involving e-scooters more than doubled in the space of three years.
So far this year four people have died following incidents involving e-scooters double what it was between since the start of 2020 and the middle of last year when two people died and 42 more suffered serious injuries, according to provisional Road Safety Authority (RSA) figures.
A Carlow woman who suffered extensive facial injuries and damage to her teeth is calling for changes to legislation after being struck by an e-scooter to be urgently introduced.
Choral music facilitator Mary Amond O’Brien was struck by an e-scooter last week on a footpath in Carlow town.
The incident occurred on Tullow Street in the town centre as she walked out of a pharmacy when she was knocked to the ground due to the impact with the e-scooter.
Ms Almond O’Brien suffered extensive facial injuries and bleeding, which included her lip, her hands were cut and grazed and her front tooth severely damaged. There were also initial fears of concussion.
The incident which occurred at approximately 5pm last Wednesday, has spurred Ms Amond O’Brien to speak out about the urgent need for e-scooter legislation.
“There is so much talk about legislation for e-scooters and nothing has happened. They should not be on footpaths,” Ms Amond O’ Brien said speaking to the Carlow Nationalist.
“This needs to be highlighted. If this had been an elderly person, they could have been killed.”
Ms Amond O’Brien explained that the young man on the e-scooter was “extremely sorry and quite upset,” remained at the scene and provided his contact details.
“It’s not even about him – motorised scooters should not be on footpaths and there needs to be legislation.
“I am very thankful; it could have been an awful lot worse, but at the same time, it shouldn’t have happened at all,” noted Ms Amond O’Brien.
The latest fatal incident occurred last week when a man in Co Sligo who was struck by a van while travelling on an electric scooter.
The man, aged in his 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene after the incident at Rusheen, Riverstown at about 8.10pm last Wednesday. The van driver sustained minor injuries.
Minister of State for Transport Jack Chambers said e-scooters will be legal to use for the first time on Irish roads in a matter of weeks.
The Road Traffic and Roads Act 2023 which controls e-scooters use was legalised in June, however electric powered scooters still remain illegal until the regulations are finally signed.
The regulations will ensure that the maximum e-scooter speed of 20km/h will be introduced. Their use on footpaths and motorways will be banned.
E-scooters can be seized by gardaí if the users are not complying to the law.
Mr Chambers explained that there is “a lot of shift and change” in other European countries on how e-scooters are being used.
Guidance and regulations are being kept under constant review so their use is adapted according to road safety principles and a safe systems approach Minister Chambers pointed out.
