From 2014 to 17, three of the four people who died in Ireland as a result of an incident involving a quad bike or scrambler were aged 18 or under.

Sergeant James Twomey from the traffic policing unit in Waterford says Quad bikes and scramblers are not toys.

He says quadbikes and scooters that are used on a public road are subject to the same rules as other mechanically propelled vehicles.

Three of the four people who died in Ireland as a result of an incident involving a quad bike or scrambler were aged 18 or under,  in the period 2014 to 2017*, according to provisional statistics published today by The Road Safety Authority (RSA).

The casualty figures also show that between 2014 and 2017, there were 39 people killed or injured in collisions involving a quadbike or scrambler on a public road. 16 or 41% were 18 years of age or under.

Ms. Moyagh Murdock, Chief Executive, RSA, said: “Every Christmas, these kinds of vehicles are given as presents, so it’s important people know the risks. Quad bikes and scramblers are not toys. They are intended to be driven by people who firstly inform themselves of the risk they pose and who are aware of the need for care particularly when driving on uneven ground. Scramblers are also a big problem in the hands of inexperienced and mostly unsupervised children, who are riding them around housing estates, local parks and on the public road, often with no protective clothing whatsoever. If you’re planning to gift a quad bike or scrambler this Christmas, please reconsider. If it’s the thought that counts, please think again.”

Mr Keith Synnott consultant at the National Spinal Injuries Unit in the Mater hospital, who is fronting the new RSA / Garda radio campaign said: “Quad bikes and scramblers are not toys, they are heavy, dangerous pieces of machinery that can cause life changing injuries or death. Riders risk spinal injury following a collision on a quad bike or scrambler. This could result in paralysis, which can mean being unable to walk or perhaps use your hands to feed yourself and loss of bowel or bladder control. Sometimes, even the inability to breath without the aid of a machine.”

Assistant Commissioner David Sheahan, National Roads Policing Unit, An Garda Síochána, said, “We cannot emphasise enough that these are powerful MPVs and in inexperienced hands or on unsuitable terrain they have the potential to severely or even fatally injure someone. That is why they are unsuitable for children. The last thing anyone wants is a tragedy, especially at Christmas, involving one of these motor vehicles. We also must emphasise to parents considering buying quadbikes or scramblers for their children this Christmas that when used on a public road they are subject to the same rules as other mechanically propelled vehicles. They are required to be registered, taxed and in good road-worthy condition. The driver of the vehicle must hold the appropriate driving licence and be insured to drive the vehicle. It is also an offence for these vehicles to be used in public places such as parks. Recently a number of high profile collisions involving quadbikes and scramblers have featured in the media and clearly show the dangers of inappropriate use.”