E-scooter owners could be prosecuted if children use them on public roads

Registered owners of e-scooters who allow children to use them on public roads could be prosecuted under legislation to be brought in later this year.

New laws that will classify e-scooters in the same category as motorcycles and cars mean owners will have to be registered and will require a licence.

The proposed reclassification of e-scooters as mechanically propelled vehicles (MPV) is set to come into effect in the next few months.

Minister of State for Road Safety Seán Canney said regulations were signed on Wednesday which will make it mandatory for all e-scooter users to wear a helmet and a high-visibility jacket.

“We are also bringing in the regulation in relation to the (driver) age from 16 to 18, but that will have to wait until we get approval from Europe to bring that in,” he said.

“We have written to Europe on that and hope to have that sorted out in next couple of months.

“As part of the regulations we will also increase seizure and retention fees for e-scooters to double them for the moment.”

Fees for detention and storage of seized e-scooters will be doubled, rising to 80 euro for detention and the first day of storage and 30 euro for each additional day or storage – to take effect from October 2.

Fines for e-scooter offences will be increased to 100 euro through regulations being brought forward in the coming weeks, alongside an offence for not wearing a helmet or high-visibility clothing with a penalty of 100 euro.

The Government said proposals regarding registration, insurance and driving licence requirements for e-scooters remain under consideration.

Mr Canney is also awaiting a report from Children’s Health Ireland and the Department of Health setting out details on brain injuries caused by e-scooter incidents.

He added: “My intention is to bring forward further legislation as part of the National Vehicle and Driver File at committee stage to change the definition of an e-scooter to a mechanically propelled vehicle and this in turn will mean it needs to be registered, there needs to be ownership title, so we know who owns something and we can prosecute them.

“It gives gardaí better clarity in what they are doing.”

Mr Canney said there is a responsibility on everyone who owns an e-scooter.

“Parents will also need to know and if someone is buying an e-scooter for their child, the owner of the e-scooter is the person who will be prosecuted,” he added.

“The enforcement of our legislation is a matter for gardaí and the Department of Justice but what we are doing is bringing in legislation that will give clarity.

“If you see someone who is not wearing a high-vis, you can say ‘stop’.”

The reclassification of e-scooters as MPVs will mean they require a licence, tax and insurance, however there are concerns over insurance costs and whether companies will be willing to insure e-scooters.

“That is exactly what we are looking at – is it possible, are there insurance companies who are providing insurance,” the minister said.

“My main motivation here is to make sure we stop this horrific sight we see where so many young children are ending up on life-support machines in our hospitals when they should be out enjoying their summers, and that is an incredible thing that is happening.

“Parents, young people and everybody in society has a responsibly here.”