Gardaí should have more powers to deal with the ongoing anti-social use of scramblers and quads, a Fine Gael TD insisted.
Deputy Alan Farrell said communities around Dublin continue to be plagued by the noise and dangerous driving associated with the high-powered vehicles.
More than 50 people have been killed or injured in collisions involving scramblers or quads on public roads in recent years, statistics from the Road Safety Authority found.
Deputy Farrell said: “When used incorrectly and driven at speed, quad bikes and scramblers pose a great danger to the youngsters driving them, as well as road users, pedestrians and children in public parks and open spaces.
"Worryingly, An Garda Síochána previously highlighted that most of the incidents of injuries or deaths involving these vehicles on public roads involved children under the age of 18.”
“Targeted enforcement measures have been introduced in a number of areas where quad bikes and scramblers were causing difficulties.
“For example, Gardaí in areas such as Finglas have had success in reducing the number of issues with scramblers through targeted enforcement.
"I am now calling for widespread targeted enforcement to be rolled out in all areas affected by this issue. I firmly believe there is room for developing new legislative provisions in road traffic legislation without unintended consequences for existing laws.”
